Physical fitness has six component's.

 In first grade, my gym instructor made us all memorize the definition of "physical fitness." After all these years, I still remember it as "Physical Fitness–learning to use your body in a variety of ways."

While this is a fantastic starting point, I've discovered that the true definition is much more nuanced. So, what exactly does good physical fitness entail? Aerobic capacity, body structure, body composition, balance, muscular flexibility, and strength are six elements of fitness that consider the entire body. Let's take a look at each one individually.

1).  The ability of your circulatory system to deliver oxygen to working muscles for use as energy fuel is referred to as aerobic capacity.       

Cardiovascular workouts such as walking, running, bicycling, jumping rope, swimming, hiking, and dancing boost aerobic capacity. The first part of fitness is to engage in any of these activities for 30-60 minutes each day at an intensity of roughly 60-80 percent of your overall maximum heart rate (220 minus your age).

2). Body structure is the second aspect of fitness.

 Look for any misalignments of the arms, legs, and trunk in your general posture. Even a minor imbalance in the way you stand or sit on a regular basis might cause pain or injury. Ears over shoulders, shoulders over hips, identical leg lengths, pelvic symmetry, and neutral joints throughout the body provide ideal posture, putting equal pressure on both feet. Stretching, strengthening, and muscle-releasing activities should be used to correct any deviations from optimal posture.

3).  The third component of fitness is body composition. 

This is the body fat-to-lean-body-mass ratio (bones and muscles). We can't know what our body composition is only by looking at our weight. To establish the % of total body fat, calipers are used to take measurements at specific regions of the body. Scales and equipment that measure body fat are also available. The optimal body fat percentage for both men and women is 10-15% of total body mass for males and 15-22 percent for females. The optimum fat-to-lean ratio allows your body to perform at its best.

4).  The fourth component of total body fitness is balance.  

Simple balancing tests can be used to establish your current state of equilibrium. Consider the difference between standing on one leg with your eyes open and standing on one leg with your eyes closed. This test has different time limits depending on your age to check if your balance is good. Younger, healthier people should aim for 30 seconds. You're at risk for injuries including ankle sprains, muscle strains, falls, and fractures even if you have modest balance issues.

5).  Muscular flexibility is the fifth component of fitness.

 Your muscles should be able to move through the full range of motion demanded by life's various tasks. Muscles can be shortened if they are not stretched properly and if they are subjected to the same sport or lifting program for an extended period of time. Muscles shorten, become rigid, and are more prone to stress and injury as a result of inactivity. Many of the most common injuries are caused by muscle imbalances in people who have strong but tight muscles in certain locations and weaker, unstable muscles/joints in others.

6).  Muscular strength is the sixth component of fitness.

 Your muscles should be able to exert force and control movement in addition to being flexible. Weight-resistance exercises help you gain strength. Individual tastes and goals can guide the creation of strengthening programs that include body weight, machines, free weights, kettle bells, TRX, and other equipment. In general, muscular strengthening requires resistance that is heavy enough to enable for 8-15 slow and controlled repetitions with proper technique in 1-3 sets.

A person who is physically fit has a properly aligned and balanced body, flexible yet strong muscles, an efficient heart and healthy lungs, and a good ratio of body fat to lean mass. Being physically fit, according to the true definition, does not come easy. It is something we all should continually work towards in our daily routines.