fit·ness
/ˈfitnis/
Noun
1.The condition of being physically fit and healthy.
2.The quality of being suitable to fulfill a particular role or task.
Maybe it's just me, but this seems pretty ambiguous. What "role or task" am I about to perform, exactly? Two hours of tennis? Okay. Bench press my own bodyweight? Sure. Ten handstand pushups? I can pull that off. A 1,000m swim? Hmm... What about a half-marathon? Or 90 minutes of Bikram yoga? Uh-oh.
I've chosen this particular attempt at defining fitness -- thank you, Google -- because it's suitably vague and because it highlights the fact that your fitness level depends largely on the challenge at hand.
Like me, there are probably certain sports and activities at which you excel, and others that you'll go out of your way to avoid. It makes sense that we put time and energy into getting better at the things we enjoy or that we feel we need to do to stay "fit" and healthy. After all, it feels good to be good at something.
But what about the things you're not so good at? Have you neglected certain facets of your fitness? Are you just plain unaware that there are more to ways to define your fitness than maxing out on a treadmill? In this article I want to draw your attention to 10 physical skills that we all posses to one degree or another. Overall fitness doesn't just come from doing one activity over and over and over. If you want to be a good all around, chances are you'll benefit from diversifying your training a little.
Facets Of Total Fitness
Mastering all of these would be a massive undertaking, and maybe even an impossible task for your average fitness enthusiast. However, challenging your body in multiple and varied ways improves overall fitness and can even help you make gains in your chosen sport or activity.
No one wants to be a one-trick pony. Mix it up, try something new and push yourself towards a better, faster, stronger and more balanced you.
-- Jamie Galloway
For more by Jamie Galloway, click here.
For more on fitness and exercise, click here.