Fitness is probably one of the most controversial topics
bandied about in social media, magazine articles, and by know-it-alls across
the planet. Just about every type of
training under the broad heading of fitness has its own staunch supporters and
sycophants, as well as its haters and rabid detractors.
Nothing really has a place of neutrality inside the world of
fitness. Here’s a quick idea what I
mean:
Crossfit – Either
drink the kool aid and become of them, or hate it with a passion
Mobility – Either
the tonic of youth and health or just another time wasting fad
Power Lifting –
Either those guys are super strong, or just super fat
Zumba – well, let’s just not even call it fitness…
The list of training modalities and their relevant pros and
cons goes on and on. Chances are, if you
are serious about your own brand of fitness, you have a love/hate list
yourself.
But, are any of the above truly right or wrong? Well, maybe the one about Zumba… J
Seriously though. How
do we define fitness? What the heck is
it, really?
Here is my definition:
Fitness is having the requisite physical ability (strength,
coordination, endurance, energy, power, balance, agility, etc.) to accomplish
all your daily tasks, whether work or personal, and to be able to participate
fully in any activity, sport, or recreation of your choice.
In other words, fitness is specific to what you as an
individual are trying to accomplish daily and to the goals you are working
towards.
The real question then is not,
are you fit? The real question is – what
are you fit for? Because the answer
determines everything.
So, if all you do is sit on the couch and watch TV all day
long and your body has adapted to that state by becoming soft, round, and couch
shaped, than you are perfectly FIT for your activity! Now this may fly in the face of your personal
idea of fitness, but if you consider that fitness is adapting to, and being able to adequately
perform the activity of your choice, then you must accept both the marathon
runner and the coach potato as being equally fit for their tasks.
By the way, can you be entirely fit and completely
UN-healthy? Yup. Definitely.
So how do we hone our definition of fitness so that it includes not only
looking good, but feeling good as well?
Simple. Understand
that the most important task which you must be fit for is that of being the
strongest, healthiest, most productive individual you can be. This not only insures that you live longer
and better for yourself, but for your family and your contribution to society
as well. If this becomes your goal, how
then will you change your current routine to make sure your training meets and
achieves this objective? Something to
think about. And, perhaps the topic of
another article…
About the Author
Jon Haas is the owner and head trainer at Warrior Fitness
Gym in Hainesport, NJ where he coaches men, women, and children in achieving
high levels of fitness and mental toughness.
He is a certified Underground Strength Coach and founder of Warrior
Fitness Training Systems. Jon is also a
certified coach in VX Sport and is the Worldwide Strength & Conditioning
Coach for VX Global.
He is a lifelong martial artist with over 30 years of
experience and is currently ranked as a 9th dan black belt in
Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu. Jon is the
author of the book, Warrior Fitness:
Conditioning for Martial Arts, as well as several other fitness related
e-books. Jon maintains a very active
blog on health, fitness, strength & conditioning, and martial arts over at www.warriorfitness.org
