There are five components of physical fitness. These components are equally essential to health and wellness, and should be of concern to all. It is also said that these components should be enhanced as much as possible, along with emotional and mental fitness, since a sound mind is part and parcel to a healthy body. Physical, mental, and emotional fitness, when put together, allows you to be as healthy as possible, to sleep better and interact with people better. Enough said, let’s jump to the specific components of physical fitness.

Component #1 – Cardiovascular Fitness

The first of the five components of physical fitness is cardiovascular fitness. It is also known as the cardiorespiratory fitness. It measures the ability of the heart and lungs to work harmoniously and provide the required oxygen needed for the proper functioning of the body. A low level of fitness in this area can lead to heart-related problems, along with a tendency to fatigue far faster than a fitter counterpart. To improve your cardiorespiratory fitness, aerobic exercises such as jogging, running, swimming, and bike riding are great choices to improve this functioning. Start slow, then slowly increase the speed and duration. Also, try your best to enjoy at your chosen activities.

Component #2 – Muscular Strength

The second of the 5 components of physical fitness is muscular strength. This measures the ability of the muscle to produce force while performing an activity. One of the tests of muscle strength is doing push-ups. If you can only do a few, this means you do not have enough muscle strength to perform well in certain activities such as sports. You have to have a high level of muscle strength to perform intense activity on a regular basis. To improve this component, you have to do anaerobic exercises such as bench press, bicep curls and leg press. You may also do weight lifting.

Component #3 – Muscular Endurance

Another of the components of physical fitness is muscular endurance. This measures the muscles ability to continuously work without fatiguing. To test your muscular endurance, sit-ups are a great test. An inability to do many sit-ups probably means that you are lacking in proper muscle endurance, which will make performing intense physical activity rather difficult. To improve your muscular endurance, do both anaerobic and aerobic exercises. Jog, walk, or ride your bike. You can make simple lifestyle changes such as walking rather than commuting, or even getting involved in a dance class that will allow you to have fun, while also “feeling the burn”.

Component #4 – Body Composition

Body composition is the fourth of the five components of physical fitness. This reflects the amount of the fat mass as compared to lean muscle mass in one’s body. This is actually one of the main components to focus on for people who want to lose fat. Several methods may be used to test this component. You can do underwater weighing, bioelectrical impedance, or skinfold readings. The most effective, but most unpractical test is underwater weighing. If you take this underwater weighing test and are found to have a higher ratio of fat to muscle, you have higher chances of getting heart-related diseases. You may also gain weight faster. To improve your body composition, it is vital that you eat a well balanced diet that is rich and fruits and vegetables. You must also get moving as well. Try to have a change in your eating habits by sticking to naturals and organics and staying away from fried and processed foods. Also always couple dieting with exercise to improve muscle tone and burn fat.

Component #5 – Flexibility

Finally, the last of the components of physical fitness is flexibility. It measures the maximum range of motion around each joint. You can test flexibility through stretching exercises, specifically the “sit and reach” exercise. With a good level of flexibility, you are less likely to experience injuries, even as you age. To improve your flexibility, do stretching or activities that lengthen the muscles such as swimming. Pilates and yoga also make great, and relaxing choices.

Putting It All Together

Testing each component enables you to determine which component needs the most improvement. Ideal physical fitness means that you score near the “top” of every component category. If you test each component, you will be guided on how you can create the best workout plan for your body. Do you need more aerobic or more muscle strengthening exercises? Can you keep up with a certain physical activity or do you need to build up more endurance? These questions will be readily answered if you partake in these tests.

You should not limit yourself to only enjoyable activities, though ideally, all of your physical activities would be enjoyable. You should explore other activities that can help you improve in the areas that you are lacking, as well as overall – with a bit of effort, and trial and error, you will be able to find an activity that you enjoy, and can stick with. By focusing on all five components of physical fitness, you are readying your body for emergencies such as disease or injury too. You will be able to engage in more activities, breathe easier, sleep better, look better, and overall, feel much better too.