A Healthy Way of Life

Living and enjoying life to its fullest is a wonderful goal, and everyone can have it! Health and fitness are a way of life, allowing one to function and perform at his or her best. It is a balance of prescribed exercise, healthy eating habits, preventative health care and effective stress management. The level of fitness helps to determine the quality of life in each individual. We are all in control of how we look, feel and live.

The information contained in this packet is based on sound physiological principles and research. Anyone can follow our concepts and training programs which will help them obtain the most out of life.

We encourage everyone to be patient, use their knowledge, set goals, listen to their bodies and commit themselves to a healthy way of life.

What Exercise Does

The following are some of the benefits of a well-balanced health and fitness program:

ü A healthy appearance

ü Good posture and alignment

ü Fluid, easy movement

ü Stronger joints and firmer muscles

ü An efficient circulatory and respiratory system

ü Lowered risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke

ü Decrease in body fat and/or body weight

ü Controlled appetite

ü Better digestion

ü Decreased susceptibility to injury

ü Fewer aches and pains

ü Improved mental awareness, self-esteem and self-confidence

ü Better handling of stress

ü Improved ability to relax

ü More restful sleep

ü Increased job productivity

ü Help in preventing and coping with depression

ü More energy and vitality

ü Increased ability to enjoy life!

Key Components of Fitness

The body is a complex mechanism and designed for action. It is essential that the heart, blood vessels, lungs and muscles function optimally to be physically fit. Here are the five key components of health-related physical fitness of most concern:

1. Cardiorespiratory Endurance/Aerobic Conditioning is the ability of the body’s heart, lungs, blood vessels and major muscle groups to persist in prolonged vigorous exercise such as brisk walking jogging, swimming, aerobic dancing, rowing, cycling, jumping rope, skating and cross-country skiing. Regular aerobic conditioning may prevent or reduce the likelihood of cardiovascular disease. Cardiorespiratory endurance is a most important component of physical fitness.

2. Muscular Strength is the ability of the muscles to exert maximal or near maximal force against resistance. Stronger muscles protect the joints they surround and reduce the incidence of injury from physical activity.

3. Muscular Endurance is the ability of the skeletal muscle to exert force (not necessarily maximal) over an extended period of time. Strength, skill, performance, speed of movement and power are closely associated with this component.

4. Flexibility is the range of motion of the muscle and joints of the body. It has to do with your skeletal muscles’ natural and conditioned ability to extend beyond their normal resting length. Increased flexibility will enhance performance and reduce the incidence of injury.

5. Body Composition is the relationship of percentage body fat to lean body weight (muscle, bone, cartilage, vital organs). Being overfat, which usually starts in childhood, has a limiting effect on the other components of fitness.