What is Fitness?

You might have told yourself at some point or other you would like to improve your fitness, but did you ever stop to think about what exactly is fitness? There is a multi-billion euro industry operating within the European region that we call the fitness sector, but what exactly is this fitness concept that’s up for sale that so many of us are so happy to hand over our hard-earned cash to buy?

We’re perfectly in our rights to ask, what is fitness, exactly? What exactly is on offer here to fitness consumers? The answer might seem straight and plain to you, but different versions of it appear equally straight and plain to pretty much anybody you ask, fitness professionals included funnily enough.

While physical fitness consisting of strength, endurance and flexibility to name but a few components, is indeed an important part of total fitness, so is psychological and social wellbeing, eating healthily and limiting unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking, drinking, consuming high-fat food or sitting down too long and too often.

Looking fit does not necessarily mean actually being fit. Indeed, this imbalanced view of fitness may in part be responsible for some of the stereotypes we see surrounding the industry and its professionals.

Question your stress levels, and safeguard your psychological health. As you progress with your new programme over the medium to long-term, reflect on how your total fitness is coming along, and not just what is visible in the mirror.

Be an informed fitness consumer, and ask of all fitness products on sale, how will this improve my total fitness?