We could have just called this part of our website exercise rather than fitness, but this is about more than just exercise. Being fit includes balance, strength, endurance, flexibility, stamina, and body composition. You could even throw in mental health if you want.
Fitness includes not just resistance training and exercise but stretching to increase flexibility and to protect your aging body from injury. A fit body is also one that gets enough rest and sleep. Exercise, stretching, sleep and nutrition all work together in harmony to produce a fit body.
The fields of medical, science, and technology are constantly evolving bringing us new knowledge and new products to enhance our bodies and lives. Our goal is to inspire you and give you intelligent, up-do-date information so you can approach fitness from an educated stand point.
Of course before you start any new fitness regimen you should make sure you get a physical and speak to your doctor. If you’ve led a sedentary life jumping in too hard or too fast could be dangerous.
Below are some of the ways that people use to get and remain fit just to give you some ideas. Look through them and see which ones would best fit your lifestyle. You can also look under the Sports section for sporting activities that may fit into your budget and lifestyle not only for exercise but also for fun.
Aerobic Exercise for Cardiovascular and Endurance
Activity | Description |
|---|---|
Walking | A zero cost way and still has one of the greatest benefits to all parts of your body |
Running | This requires no equipment but it is high impact your feet, ankles, and knees |
Cycling | When the weather is good, riding bike is a low impact way to get your cardio in |
Stationary Bike | Since cycling isn’t always an option, you can simulate it with a stationary bike |
Under Desk Bike | If you have to sit at a desk all day this will give you some cardio |
Bike Training Stand | If you don’t have the money or room for a stationary bike use a stand for your bike |
Treadmill | Get the benefits of walking or running without dealing with the cold or heat |
Elliptical Machine | Since you glide this is one of the lowest impact forms of cardio besides swimming and cycling |
Swimming | This is another low impact workout, but you need a pool to do it |
Circuit Training | Moving through 8-10 exercise stations without any rest between |
Rowing gets your heart rate up while working out 9 major muscle groups in your whole body | |
Plyometrics | This is jump training so it is high impact, not good if your knees are weak |
Stair Climber | Engages lots of the largest muscle groups and is great cardio |
Jump Rope | This increases your heart rate and improves your coordination |
HIIT | High-Intensity Interval Training - This is popular cardio training is arranged as short bursts of very hard work |
Weight Bearing | You don't need to purchase any equipment to start. Just use your body weight for situps, pushups, etc. |
Weight Bearing Exercise for Strength
Activity | Description |
|---|---|
If you have a hard time going somewhere to work out then maybe equipment at home is the answer | |
Fitness Club Membership | These is a great way to exercise with other people and maybe get a trainer to keep you motivated |
Low cost and portable way to improve your strength using big rubber bands essentially. Great for stretching too | |
A set of these in your home can give you a full body workout and include cardio too | |
Similar to dumbbells but the swinging motion gives a little better cardio workout | |
Barbells | Barbells are the go to equipment of the serious body builder. Often used along with dumbbells. |
Resistance Machine | Resistance machines are what you see in a fitness club and they target specific muscle groups |
Exercise Ball | Low cost way to develop good overall muscle tone, great for back and core muscles |
As the name implies, this is a great way to increase abdominal muscles for better posture and back pain | |
Weighted Vest | Step up your workouts by adding some extra weight to your body. Both cardio and weight bearing benefits |
Push Up Bars | Get more range out of push-ups and protect your wrists |
Balance Board | A balance board increases your core muscles which can improve your posture |
Yoga | This is a great low impact way to increase muscle strength in your entire body |
Accessories
Activity | Description |
|---|---|
Fitness Tracker | Track you heart rate, miles traveled, sleep, calories consumed and more |
Earbuds for Phone | Exercise can be boring at times so listen to music, a podcast, or learn a new language |
Exercise Workout Poster | These handy posters have the moves to work out your entire body |
Phone Holder | If you’re using treadmills, elliptical machines, or spin bikes, you’ll need a place for you phone |
Exercise Gloves | If using dumbbells, free weights, or the like it’s nice to have a little protection for your hands |
Exercise Mat | Many exercises are on the floor so you may want a comfortable place to lie |
Exercise Books | You can plan an entire exercise routine and proper nutrition to support it by reading |
Workout Bench | For dumbbells and free weights a workout bench will be needed to do all the exercises |
Stand Up Desks | Part of the sedentary problem is that we spend so much time at a desk |