When was the last time you were at the gym or doing some form of fitness exercise? When was the last time you were sweating it out in the elliptical machine at the local gym? The answer is never. And the reason why is because we have become a society of fitness fanatics. We are always looking for new ways to improve our fitness and health.
Fitness and health mean different things to different people. For some, fitness and health mean a healthy lifestyle. For others, the definition of that word means an active lifestyle that involves exercise but doesn't necessarily include aerobic activity like running or walking.
The better fitness industry generally equates fitness to progressive, skill-related fitness. And, it usually equates fitness to greater health. So, does fitness really equal greater health?
In some ways it is very easy to see the answer to the question, "does fitness equal greater health?" With the increase in the number of physical activities being done around the world, the answer to the previous question has become, "yes." With the increase in the number of physically active people, there is an increase in the number of diseases that can be prevented by exercising. So, when you exercise, you are preventing disease.
The other big difference between fitness and health is the actual physical activity involved in fitness. While fitness professionals believe that physical activity is vital to overall fitness, they also recognize the importance of a well-balanced diet. Physical activity is necessary to get fit, but you also need nutrition to maintain your fitness level after you are at your peak. And, most importantly, when you consider the nutritional value of your food, fitness professionals agree that eating healthy food can help you maintain or improve your fitness level. So, when you are talking to your doctor about working out or taking supplements, keep in mind that both fitness and nutrition need to be considered.
The second thing that makes the relationship between fitness and public health so important is the increased number of children and older adults that are living longer than they should be. A lot of the increase in life expectancy is due to an increase in the amount of physical activity that people are doing. When you walk down the street, you don't usually think about the number of calories that you are consuming or the number of steps that you are taking. But, the fact is that you are taking physical action every day. And, what is truly alarming is that the number of cases of heart disease and cancer is continuing to rise as we are reaching the saturation point of these trends.
Whether you are a professional athlete or someone who is maintaining their fitness levels through a daily walk, you can take advantage of the many health benefits of exercise. While there are many different types of exercise, aerobic exercise is one of the most important. It includes things such as walking, biking, swimming, or any other activity where your body uses more calories than it would through the consumption of food and drink alone.
Another reason why a person would choose a fitness center above a gym is because of the social benefits. When you exercise, you are meeting new people and forming new relationships. You might make new friends at a gym you have frequented for years or meet new acquaintances during your weekly workout. When you work out in a gym, you may be meeting and getting to know people who can help you achieve your fitness goals. While both of these factors are important in your life, meeting new people and experiencing new friendships are what really count in the greater fitness industry.
