#Physical Fitness! What is Your Physical Fitness?

When it comes to fitness, the idea of physical fitness may be the most obvious form of fitness that comes to mind. However simple, physical fitness requires consistent application in order to reap its benefits. However, despite our knowledge that being physically active is good for us, there is a large number of the US population that does not fully engage in this form of fitness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 41.9% of Americans are considered overweight or obese(1).

Some attributes of physical fitness include but is not limited to: strength and power training, cardiovascular, speed, and plyometric training, flexibility and/or mobility training, balance training, and cross training. Within each of these categories, there are a variety of options on how to integrate each one. For example, within the strength and power training category we can apply the concepts functional movement similar to activities of daily living, sports, military or first responder-based tasks such as, squats, lifts, stair climbing, carrying and hanging, pulling, and pushing. Implementing cardiovascular training with low load and long durations activities such as hiking or rucking or sprint and speed work can have a positive impact on blood pressure as well as about ability to have the ability to complete task such as stair climbing but also tasks that can keep us or others safe such as getting out of the way of moving vehicles or saving someone from danger. Flexibility/mobility training as well as balance training allows us to be able to better move around our environment, protect us from falls but also be able to get off the ground.

What I love most about physical fitness and training is that it is kind of like music. It is limitless! How one decides to incorporate physical fitness into their lives such that it improves their ability to function in their daily environment is up to them. What training should do ultimately is help train the various systems of the body in order to allow a person to better meet the tasks and demands of a modern human existence. As we implement physical fitness into our lives, we are in essence, training for the next day, week, month, year, and decade. We are training for the ability to live life.

Currently, I am working on increasing my functional performance measures. I am working on my ability to carry loads, maintain my balance in a variety of settings and situations, unilateral and rotational based work that incorporates core and hip stabilizations. I am training my cardiovascular fitness capacities for fat loss as well as performance training. I am also working on improving mobility of my thoracic spine and hips while incorporating rehabilitation-based work to not only heal previously obtained injuries but also to help prevent further injuries.

What is your Physical Fitness?

(1) https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html