What is Fitness?
The textbook definition of fitness is "Good health or physical condition, especially as the result of exercise and proper nutrition."
Expanding upon this, a person's fitness can be based upon physical competency in the ten recognised fitness domains -
- Cardiovascular / respiratory endurance - gathering, processing, and delivering oxygen.
- Stamina - processing, delivering, storing, and utilising energy.
- Strength - application of force by muscle(s).
- Flexibility - maximising the range of motion at a given joint.
- Power - application of maximum force in minimum time by muscles.
- Speed - minimising the time cycle of a repeated movement.
- Coordination - combination of several distinct movement patterns into a singular distinct movement.
- Agility - minimising transition time from one movement pattern to another.
- Balance - controlling the placement of the bodies centre of gravity in relation to its support base.
- Accuracy - controlling movement in a given direction or at a given intensity.
The Fitstream Philosophy
The Fitstream fitness philosophy is designed to help everyday people build an effective fitness programme into their lives. We focus efforts on -
- Creating a balanced fitness programme for modern life, that compliments rather than dominates.
- Promoting total fitness across all ten fitness domains.
- Encouraging training that supports health and functional ability, improving everyday performance.
- The pursuit and application of informed, efficient nutrition and exercise principles.
- Objective-oriented, results-driven fitness plans.
The Fitstream approach to fitness is about embracing and ingraining health as a way of life, and not shoehorning a tired, ineffective routine into an already hectic schedule. There are no shortcuts or miracle pills, and no equipment with a plug is going to give you the body of your dreams.
We tell things straight, backed up by science, and encourage training methods and equipment that really work.
Fitness in a Nutshell
Eat high-quality, natural food, train consistently, and get enough water and sleep. Avoid repetitive training schedules and build in spontaneity, varying types of exercise at different frequencies, difficulties and intensities.
Getting Started with Fitness Training
- Set yourself realistic and measurable short and long term goals. We perform best when we're working towards something and if you don't know what it is you want to achieve how can you work out what it is you need to do in order to get there?
- Plan how you will achieve your goals. Now that you have your goals in mind, what is it that you will need to do to achieve them? See Fitness Planning.
- Keep a training journal. A training journal is a great motivational aid and helps you track progress and figure out what is working best for you. Read our article on keeping a training journal and download an example log sheet.
