Most people who are starting out on a new fitness programme know that they need to make changes to their health and fitness but often fall short of achieving the full potential of their goals by simply not being aware of what makes a well-rounded fitness programme.
The most common goal for wanting to start a new exercise regime is losing weight, however there are many more components to health and fitness that body composition. Here is a list of the key components that I include in my client workout programmes - helping them maximise their fitness potential.
Cardiovascular endurance - which is the body’s ability to perform aerobic exercise for an extended period of time. By strengthening the function of your cardiovascular/circulatory system through regular exercise, you can significantly improve your cardio endurance (and therefore your ability to perform long-duration or high-intensity exercise including day to day tasks like keeping up with the kids or running for bus!) I deliver cardio with a rowing machine and through HIIT elements in my sessions.
Muscular endurance - is how many times you can move that weight or the number of pushups you can do, basically your body's ability to keep going - I have plenty of challenges for improving this aspect of fitness!
Strength - muscular endurance refers to how long your muscles can work for without fatiguing, while muscular strength is all about how much force your muscles can exert in one blow. I use a range of different weights and bands to improve muscular strength.
Flexibility - flexibility is a different to the previously mentioned components of fitness as it’s more about your body’s ability to move rather than how it looks and performs, and is often trained by stretching.
Body composition - a lower body fat mass to muscle mass ratio is better for your health, and will ultimately make your body appear leaner and healthier.
Power - the ability to apply maximum force as quickly as possible. Speed and strength actually come under ‘power’ as a fitness component, but can also be viewed on their own - expect lots of jumping and kit such as medicine and slam balls.
Speed - the ability to complete a certain physical activity as fast as possible.
Agility - refers to the ability to move swiftly and with ease during physical activity.
Coordination and reaction time - your capacity to maintain control over your body’s movements, especially those that concern the limbs.
Balance - I like to use balance board, BOSU balls and Swiss balls to improve balance.
To find out more about how to start a customised, well-rounded fitness programme that will improve all aspects of your health and fitness, please get in touch.
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