What We All Want - A Fully Functional Body That Doesn't Hurt

We hear that fitness and strength is important but who is it actually for? We often have visions of it being for the young and beautiful, as if you need to already be fit, toned and slim before you can exercise. Could this be the reason that 80 percent of the population does not get enough muscle building and maintaining activity? In other words a large portion of us are inactive and sedentary.

Years ago there was no need for gyms or exercise programs as physical activity was a natural part of life and almost everyone participated in enough movement to keep the muscles and cardiovascular (heart/lung) system conditioned.

But our modern labor saving appliances along with computers television and cars have robbed many people of movement time and the need to be physically active on a day-to-day basis. Many people now do little more each day than go from the bed, to the car, to the desk, to the table, to the couch and to bed again. They have got through the day without having to move a muscle.

Just as a diet of junk and low quality food leads to health problems down the road a diet of inactivity also leads to problems with the way our body functions somewhere down the road. There is simply not enough vigorous movement in our lives anymore for our muscles to stimulate 'growth and repair' hormones. These are needed to rebuild, repair, replace and renew cells and tissue when they become old and worn out. We constantly need new cells to replace these degenerated ones with cells that are younger and healthier if we wish our body to keep functioning properly.

Without vigorous activity our body simply goes in a downward spiral of decay and this is not the way to live an enjoyable life. Many people believe because they are 'busy' they get enough physical activity. But simply being 'busy' is not a self help care plan. Rushing around at low levels of intensity (degree of difficulty) is not the type of activity that stimulates the 'fitness' hormones that keep the human body strong and disease resistant.

The term functional fitness is a relatively new way to look at proper exercise that is designed to improve health, increase strength and the ability to perform the tasks and activities of daily living. This type of exercise program has the ability to greatly enhance the quality of life and prolong physical independence so a nursing home is never needed.

Functional fitness is everyday training for health, good posture, muscle and joint strength and its purpose is to train muscles to perform their specific functions in daily activities at peak performance. Your local gym or fitness center will be able to get you started on your program and monitor your progress for best results.

Remember you get a bonus of looking better when you are in shape. Your strength training program not only tones your muscles, your cheeks will be rosy, you will have fewer chins and you will exude healthiness. A pretty good deal wouldn't you agree?