Why is being muscular not the same as being fit?
If you can perform some kind of physical activity daily without suffering excessive fatigue, then you are fit. However, this well-being has little to do with having a muscular body.
Exercising is good for your health. Not only to maintain a good physique but, above all, to reduce the risk of heart problems, diabetes, overweight or limit the probability of premature death. It also reduces the risk of injuries, falls and keeps our mind sharp.
What it means to be fit?
leading a healthy lifestyle is not always synonymous with being fit. Although, obviously, they are closely related. Experts boil the concept of fitness down to being able to engage in intense physical activity on a daily basis and to do so without suffering excessive fatigue.
To be fit, a person needs to be in good physical shape, capable of carrying out such efforts without tiring and without risking injury. And here we are not talking about being an elite athlete or having big muscles. We are talking about developing and training the physical capacities — such as maximal aerobic capacity, muscle endurance, flexibility... — that help to improve or preserve health and fitness.
Everybody’s physical condition depends on genes, age or sex, but also on factors that can be controlled such as diet, hygiene or mental well-being. In addition, training in a controlled and regular manner will make you stronger, more agile, and more flexible. It will also improve
Tips for getting in shape
Making sport and physical activity part of your daily life has many health benefits. Nonetheless, given that each person has his or her baseline physical condition, before starting any regular activity, it is advisable to discuss this with your GP or family doctor.
Being in shape is not complex, but it does require engagement and perseverance. Think of it as committing to the goal of improving your health for your own enjoyment and not as a result of aesthetic fads.
To be more active you can start by:
- Training in the morning
- Initially, invest less time, starting off with shorter routines
- Start slowly and gradually increase the intensity of your exercise
- Train with friends
- Follow a balanced and healthy diet
- Focus on mental health and emotional well-being
- Eat an early dinner
- Ensure a good night's rest
- Find your motivation and hold on to it
Muscular or lean body?
Depending on whether you want to achieve a strong, muscular body or a slimmer physique, the types of exercise you should choose will be different. To gain muscle, you should opt for high-intensity exercise and strength training with enough weight to stretch your muscles. Instead, if you’re aiming for a well-defined, lean, look, you will be focusing on muscle tone and, to this end, repetitions working with moderate weight should be enough.
Ultimately, the essential thing is turning sport or physical activity into a constant part of your daily life. This involves making exercise a habit and adapting it to each person’s needs and current condition. This exercise regime should be combined with other healthy practices because that will ensure a good overall state of health, far removed from fads or trends that pursue a specific appearance.
Being fit, therefore, is feeling agile and strong and improving one's physical condition without the need to be muscular. Each individual must adapt the training and sport he or she does to his or her personal situation, with a clear sense of what their personal goal is.
