"Getting Fit" What does it really mean?

My Blog Has A Broader Message Of Obtaining Awareness & Understanding In Life

We often use phrases like “I need to get Fit” or “I need to get Fitter” without knowing what the word & statement means or entails! Some are already joining a gym, others starting a running routine & many developing their nutrition, so it is healthier & more balanced. The intention & actions are great but having a thought or idea followed by an “all-in approach” which I term the bull in a china shop approach is both a common trait & error of people.

The outcome of this process is normally a transient experience. It would have to be demoralising & disheartening especially if you have told friends, family, or work colleagues your plans. Longer term training & fitness creates the holistic health benefits & goals being achieved. Seek advice & tips from people you know who have created longevity in training or speak with a professional S&C Coach. In most cases, goals are achievable by simply changing the approach to one of gradually building the training program. 

Awareness & understanding of what key components of any process are is an essential factor in achieving targets & goals. In this scenario as a minimum, we need to get an understanding of what getting “Fit” means.

The Energy System Perspective means improving the capacity of one or more of the three systems our body uses to create energy output e.g., Aerobic System. To enhance the performance of our systems requires different training methods or inputs. Athletes can primarily use one system more than others or various combinations. A good example of this is male Elite World Class marathon runners who average 2hrs 5mins to complete the 42.2km or 26.2mile run with an average pace of over 20 km per hour. Many people would be surprised that these Elite Marathon Runners use their Aerobic Energy System for approximately 98% of the run!

The Biological Perspective provides the primary definition of “Fit.” The meaning is simply your ability to provide for your own life & wellbeing. This is a stark contrast & vastly different from its meaning in everyday use today!

Conceptually “Getting Fit” is a worthwhile action based on the common usage definition, but it creates technical limitations. It can only reach a certain point of sufficiency in relation to your life & needs without the knowledge & understanding of what it truly means!

The awareness of “Fit” provided by the Biological Perspective provides a new canvas with creative freedom to create our new “Fit” journey! In life, the fullness of understanding truly opens the doors to what is possible!

This Blog was written for Swim Strong Foundation in New York & I have been their Guest Blogger for 7 years. I'm Gold Coast based where I work as a Coach & Consultant in High Performance Sport.

I can be contacted via email: [email protected]