Both you and I have probably wondered the definition of physical fitness. Each of us probably has a different idea what exactly is physical fitness.
Dictionaries define it as being in good shape or being in good condition.
The truth is, the definition is relative! You choose how you want to define it!
Everyone Looks At It Differently
Suppose that one day, you approached a long distance athlete and asked him what he felt defined physical fitness, he would probably respond with the following:
Physical fitness to me is the ability to run 40km in a certain timeframe.
Basically, a long distance runner would suggest that a good stamina is the definition of physical fitness.
What if you asked a stay-at-home mom? She would think that physical fitness is having the energy to cope with household chores and to look after the kids.
A singing sensation would think that a vocal stamina is the ideal level of physical fitness.
At the end of the day, physical fitness has a different meaning and significance to different people. Usually, what they do every day influences what they believe is the meaning of physical fitness.
Therefore, it is not like in the older times where physical fitness was perceived to be where males had strong, lean muscles, looking like Schwarzenegger during his prime. Times have changed to a point where, people define it according to their job, their responsibilities and so on.
So What Does This Mean For YOU?
You now realize that almost everyone has a different idea about what physical fitness means to them. Therefore, now is the time for you to define what it means to you.
How you choose to define this will help determine your aims for your physical fitness. For myself, my definition of physical fitness is to be fit and healthy. I don’t need huge, bulky muscles. I simply hope to achieve everyday fitness.
Having aims is so important. It gives you a reason as to why you are working out. It could be for stamina, to improve your energy, for a healthy lifestyle…
At this point, you might be stumped and you can’t figure out what physical fitness means to you. Don’t worry, because I have a few examples to share with you. The examples that I’m about to share with you are from friends and family. Their names are protected.
Physical fitness to me, is to be able to climb several flights of stairs without my knee giving up on me! – NK
I think I would have achieved my ideal state of physical fitness if I can fit into the jeans size that I wore two years ago. – PS
I want to be able to jog for 4 miles without feeling too breathless. – JY
These are some of the definition of physical fitness that I’ve heard from my friends. The great thing is, after defining what physical fitness means to you, it acts as a motivating force that drives you to work hard to achieving it.
For JY, he would probably strive to jog more so that one day, he would be able to cover 4 miles without feeling breathless. NK would probably do conditioning exercises so that her knee injury does not affect her day to day activities.
Hence, I urge you to take some time to sit down and ask yourself what you think is the definition of physical fitness. Your answer might be normal, like wanting to drop a dress size or two, or it could it totally unexpected!
Final Words
Despite what dictionaries and other health institutions define it as, everyone would have a different idea of what is physical fitness.
Realizing what it means for you will help you understand what you want to achieve. This will be a long-term goal as you start to work hard on improving the quality of your life through regular exercise and a proper diet.
The famous saying goes: if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
It is the same with having aims. Without them, you are lost, and you never really know what to do next. So set goals, starting with the definition of physical fitness.
After which, you will set small, achievable aims that will help you work towards your main one, set by the definition you came up with.