Do You Know the 4 Components of Fitness?

Ask ten people what it means to be "fit" and you'll probably get ten different answers. While fitness can look different from person to person, there are four key components that contribute to overall physical health.

Cardiorespiratory Fitness
This is your body's ability to deliver and use oxygen during exercise. The better your cardiovascular fitness, the more energy and endurance you'll have for activities like walking, biking, hiking, or chasing after the grandkids.

How to improve it: Add activities that elevate your heart rate, such as brisk walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, or interval training.

Strength
Strength is your ability to produce force. It helps with everyday tasks like carrying groceries, lifting a child, moving furniture, or getting up from the floor.

How to improve it: Incorporate resistance training using weights, resistance bands, or your own body weight.

Endurance
Endurance is your ability to keep going without tiring quickly. It includes both muscular endurance (how long your muscles can work) and cardiovascular endurance (how long your heart and lungs can support activity).

How to improve it: Perform activities for longer periods of time, such as walking, cycling, swimming, or strength exercises with lighter resistance and higher repetitions.

Mobility
Mobility is your ability to move a joint through its full range of motion. Good mobility helps you move more easily, reduces stiffness, and can decrease your risk of injury.

How to improve it: Stretch regularly, focus on proper exercise form, and incorporate activities like yoga or mobility exercises into your routine.

Fitness is about more than just cardio or strength training. A well-rounded fitness routine includes a little bit of everything.