Benefits of Fitness

"Being active not only helps you feel good physically, but it gives you time to yourself to sort through your schedule and prepare for the pressures of your day. The better you feel about yourself, the more productive you can be — at work and at play." Nolan Ryan - The famous Baseball Pitcher

No one would argue the value of fitness to overall health. But "being fit" means different things to different people. To the professional athlete, physical conditioning is the vital link to staying in the game. To most people, its more a matter of meeting the demands of everyday life without getting overly tired — and handling the occasional fastball thrown your way.

The health benefits of physical fitness are both physical and mental, lowering your risk for many diseases, while helping to increase longevity and improve your self-esteem and ability to manage stress. You'll be more productive and safe at work, and better equipped to hit home runs when they're needed.

WHAT IS FITNESS?

There are several components to overall physical fitness. The primary building blocks are cardio endurance, muscular strength and endurance, and flexibility. Other factors include your muscle-to-fat ratio (body composition), agility, sense of balance, and reaction time (especially important for sports).

The most beneficial program for overall fitness is one that addresses each of the primary fitness components:

* aerobics ( running, swimming, biking, rowing, or walking) for cardio function
* strength training and conditioning for muscular strength and endurance
* stretching for improved flexibility

If that sounds like too much to handle, don't despair. You don't have to do it all every day, and every bit you do, helps. Just start slowly, and build gradually. Commitment is a must. Enjoy life more! Start getting in shape fast and enjoying a life of better health and fitness!