How do You Define “Fitness”?
What is fitness? Depending on who you ask, this could be defined in almost an infinite amount of ways.
New years, bring new resolutions, and an excess of gym memes about it. I might be biased, but I believe focusing on exercising, nutrition, and lifestyle is one of the best things you can do for yourself. If we are going to build our fitness then it might help to define it so we know what we're doing and where we’re going.
I define fitness by your ability to perform a task, free from pain or limitations for the length of your life.
My first intro into the term fitness was through the blog at bodybuilding.com where I learned about hypertrophy, volume, and muscle splits. Essentially, I learned about the sport of bodybuilding. Bodybuilding was the lens I viewed exercise and fitness through largely becauseI didn't know better. At the time I never LEARNED about fitness anywhere else, at best fitness was always associated with sports performance or gym class.
Later on, I had my introduction to CrossFit. While you might have your opinions about CrossFit, good or bad, hear me out. Greg Glassman, the founder of CrossFit, sought out to answer my question What is Fitness by creating 4 models.
The first is based on the 10 general physical skills; the second model is based on the performance of athletic tasks; the third is based on the energy systems; the fourth uses health markers as a measure of fitness. This resonated with me. Fitness is not just the expression of physical ability but rather an entire ecosystem to create a healthy and strong individual. At another time I might dive into these individual parts, but the main model that has always stuck with me was that last one aka “The Sickness, Wellness and Fitness Continuum”
CrossFit Sickness Wellness Fitness Continuum
Done right, fitness provides a buffer of protection against the ravages of time and disease. The more “Fit” you are, or further to the right, any setback you might have means you have further to go before the concept of sickness affects you. Like my earlier definition, Glassman’s attempt is a simple answer to a VERY complex conversation, What is Fitness? Layered between the lines of the words, is nuance that can be elaborated on for hours. Deep rabbit holes of intricate biology that can be quite enlightening but also pretty boring. The concept of fitness, I've learned, is a subjective term relative to the person who is using it.
My definition didn’t come from one specific place or person. It came from years of talking to people and exploring what fitness means to each individual. As a coach my job isn't to instill my definition onto someone, but to help them find it for themselves, and put it into practice.
If you have children, or are around children, you are definitely aware of their seemingly unlimited bouts of energy. For several of my clients this was a major concern, “I want to be fit enough to keep up with my kid(s)”. Depending on age this can be a lot of things, being able to comfortably get up and down from the ground, picking them up and throwing them on your shoulders, playing at the park, or helping them learn to ride a bike. The list is endless and spans several years, but for these parents fitness was defined by their ability to be there with their children.
Work and hobbies can be physically and mentally taxing. Late nights or long hours can lead to aches, pains or a sense of dysfunction. No matter the profession, the common basis of what I hear is “I want to have the endurance to practice, perfect, and perform”. Musicians need to have the mental clarity that can be helped by aerobic training, hair stylists need hip and back strength to stand for long hours, and doctors need to have the endurance to move freely and sometimes quickly for the sake of our health. Fitness to them is the ability to perform the task at hand to their highest ability.
We often don't realize how difficult these everyday tasks are, until we can't do them properly. Fitness isn't always about performing extraordinary feats of achievement, it can also include everyday things. You don't know how lucky you are to throw on your shirt everyday and run out the door until you hurt your shoulder and suddenly it's a 5 minute task.
If you haven't already, ask yourself “What is Fitness? Take some time to explore what is important in your life, and how does being fit allow you to keep those things going? It’s worth noting that there is no single correct definition. Your definition is just as valid and correct as the next person, what really matters is how does it apply to you?
It’s a new year and many people set personal “fitness” goals. If you are having trouble or would like help making sure your definition and goals are aligned, click the link below to set up a consultation.
