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Physical fitness

The notion of physical fitness is used in two close meanings.

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The notion of physical fitness is used in two close meanings.

General fitness

In its most general meaning, physical fitness is a general state of good physical health Health

Health is the functional and/or metabolic efficiency of an organism, at any moment in time, at both the ... 

. A person with a physical impairment Disability

Bold text
Disability refers to the social effects of physical, emotional or mental impairment.... 

 may be physically fit and healthy, though their performance on tasks requiring full bodily function in the area of impairment will be affected.

Physical fitness is a result of regular physical activity, proper diet and nutrition Nutrition

[i] and states of [[health]... 

, and proper rest for physical recovery within the parameters allowed by the genome.

Physical fitness is often divided into following types:
  • Flexibility Stretching

    Stretching is the activity of gradually applying tensile [i] force to lengthen, strengthen, and... 

  • Cardiovascular endurance
  • Muscular strength & endurance Weight training

    Weight training is a form of exercise [i] for developing the strength [i] and size of ... 

  • Body Composition
  • Agility Sport agility

    Agility is the ability to change the body's direction efficiently, and this requires a combination of ba... 

  • Balance Equilibrioception

    Equilibrioception or sense of balance is one of the physiological [i] sense [i]s.... 

  • Speed


Many sources also cite mental and emotional health as an important part of overall fitness. This is often presented in textbooks as a triangle Triangle

A triangle is one of the basic shape [i]s of geometry [i]: a polygon [i] with three vertices [i] ... 

 made up of three sub-sections which represent physical, emotional, and mental fitness. Hence, one may be physically fit but may still suffer from a mental illness or have emotional problems. The "ideal triangle" is balanced in all areas.

Task-oriented fitness

A humanoid may be said to be physically fit to perform a particular task with a reasonable efficiency, for example, fit for military Military

A military or military force has seen many different incarnations throughout time.... 

 service Service

In economics [i] and marketing [i], a service is the non-material equivalent of a good [i]. ... 

.

Military-style

In recent years, Military-style fitness training programs have become increasingly popular among civilians. Courses are available all over the U.S. United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

 and Europe Europe

Europe is one of the seven traditional continent [i]s of the Earth [i]. ... 

.

They are usually taught by ex-military personnel. Very often the instructors held highly regarded positions within various military organizations. Oftentimes the instructors were formerly Drill instructor Drill instructor

A drill instructor is a non-commissioned officer [i] in the armed forces [i] with specific duties that v ... 

s, Special Forces Special forces

Special forces or special operations forces are military [i] units which are formed and trained to ... 

 Operatives or held otherwise distinguished positions.

These courses always have some common elements. They often focus on military style calisthenics and group runs. The courses are often held very early in the morning and will meet in almost any weather. Students can expect push-up Press up

A press up or push up is a common strength training [i] exercise [i] performed in... 

s, sit-ups, pullups Chin-up bar

Chin-up bars are playground [i] equipment that were once ubiquitous on children's playgrounds.... 

, and jumping jacks Jumping Jack

A Jumping Jack, or side straddle hop in the American military, is a physical exercise [i] performed by jumping [i] ... 

, as well as more obscure drills such as flutter kicks, sun worshippers and flares. Almost invariably a workout will include short runs while longer runs are more scheduled. Special forces are renowned for their level of fitness and intensity of their workouts.

One such example is Crossfit, which is popular with military and law enforcement personnel.

Notable fitness instructors

  • Charles Atlas Charles Atlas

    Charles Atlas, "self-made man", trained [i] himself to develop his body from that of a ... 

  • Billy Blanks Billy Blanks

    Billy Blanks is a fitness [i] guru [i], martial artist [i], actor [i], and ... 

  • Matt Furey
  • Jack LaLanne Jack LaLanne

    Jack LaLanne is an American [i] fitness [i], exercise [i] and nutrition [i]al exper ... 

  • Tony Little
  • John Peterson John Peterson

    John Peterson is a North America [i]n proponent of "bodyweight-only" exercise [i]s and creator of Transf ... 

  • Susan Powter Susan Powter

    Susan Powter was born to Colin and Jan Powter on 22 December, 1957 in Sydney [i], Australia [i].... 

  • Richard Simmons Richard Simmons

    Richard Simmons is a fitness [i] expert [i]. ... 

  • Tony Horton

See also

  • Exercise Physical exercise

    Physical exercise is the performance of some activity in order to develop or maintain physical fitness [i]... 

  • Health Health

    Health is the functional and/or metabolic efficiency of an organism, at any moment in time, at both the ... 

  • National Physical Fitness Award
  • Personal trainer
  • Physical Fitness Badge Physical Fitness Badge

    The Physical Fitness Badge is an award of the United States Army [i] and is presented to those soldiers ... 

  • President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
  • Social influences on fitness behavior

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