5 Components of Physical Fitness

What are the 5 components of physical fitness, learn how to test and improve every aspect of fitness, ranging from strength to flexibility.

What is physical fitness?
 
It's the ability to get through your busy active day without to much difficulty, your day may include work plus other activities such as going to the gym or competing in sports.

5 Components of Physical Fitness listed below

Cardiovascular Endurance

What is it? This tests your heart and lungs at how well they can provide oxygen to the muscles.

Benefits? Having good cardiovascular endurance can decrease the chance of getting heart related illnesses, and you'll be able to endure high cardiovascular activities for longer.

How to improve? A good way to improve your cardiovascular ability is running, swimming or cycling.

Common Tests for your Cardiovascular Endurance Cooper run/Bleep test.


Muscular Strength

What is it? This is how much power the muscles can create.

Benefits? Various daily activities will become easier, better sports performance.

How to improve? Heavy resistance training, low reps, high protein diet.

Common Tests for Muscular Strength Grip strength tester/various weight lifting exercises can be used to find this out, for example bench press, leg press, dead-lift. weight training is the best way to develop your strength.



Muscular Endurance

What is it? This is the muscles ability to continue an action before muscle failure.

Benefits? Various daily activities will become easier, you will not tire as easy, better athletic performance.

How to improve? Resistance training, low weight high reps, many cardiovascular exercises will be beneficial.

Common Tests for muscular endurance The sit up test.


Flexibility

What is it? It's the ability of your joints to move through a full range of motion.

Benefits? Less likely to suffer from injuries including to the lower back.

How to improve? Various stretching exercises repeated 3 or more times a week.

Common Tests The sit and reach test is commonly used to test this.

Body Fat Percentage

What is it? This is your body fat percentage

Benefits? If you have a good overall body fat percentage you will be less at risk from developing certain illnesses, you will also look and feel better.

How to improve? Combine good eating habits with regular exercise.

Common tests Skin folds, Body Mass Scales.