According to an annual survey conducted by the countrys leading authority on exercise to find out the top ten fitness trends of 2011, American consumers realize the importance of fitness in their lives.
The report further states that boosted by an upswing in the economy, people are now ready to focus on improving their health. Surely, the outcome of the survey has given something to cheer about to the fitness industry after the challenge of the economically tough last two years.
However, the importance of fitness and health goes way beyond the pulls and pressures of the economy. The rise and fall of the economy just change the way we like to keep fit, going from cost-effective workouts to more personalized training. It does not wipe out from our consciousness the benefits of staying healthy and fit.
The importance of fitness and wellness can be understood from the positive impacts it can have on our day to day lives. I wont be exaggerating if I said in a healthy body resides a healthy mind. Numerous studies have been conducted to prove that regular exercise can greatly reduce stress and anxiety.
One theory states that the endorphins released during exercise are believed to lift mood, while another says that working out increases the level of certain chemicals in the body, which are associated with mood elevation. One thing is clear; the biggest benefit of physiological health is psychological well-being.
Health Benefits of Keeping Fit
Regular exercising whether you are using fitness equipment at a commercial gym or practicing Yoga at home is also known to greatly improve strength and endurance. Those who work out regularly are likely to have a lot more stamina and will be able to get through their day to day activities with much more ease and vigor than those who lead an essentially sedentary life.
The importance of fitness also lies in the fact that it helps boost our overall health and sense of wellbeing. Exercising improves heart and lung functions and increases the amount of oxygen available in the body, making us feel more energized at all times.
Using strength-training fitness equipment can toughen our bones and makes us less prone to injuries. If injured, a fit body is able to recover much faster than an unfit one.
Maintaining a fitness regime also greatly reduces the risk of medical conditions associated with lack of physical activity like cardio-vascular diseases, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and health problems related to obesity another byproduct of giving no or little importance to exercise in your life.
Exercise Keeps You Looking Young
One more advantage of including exercise in our daily schedule is the better body image and boost in self-confidence it leads to. Those who follow some kind of a fitness regimen are likely to be in great shape and look good, which works wonders for their self-esteem.
In addition to this, physical activity also slows down the process of aging, so you will feel and look younger if you keep yourself fit.
Physically fit individuals are also likely to be better workers as fitness is known to have a direct co-relation with increased productivity, lower absenteeism, and greater drive.
In fact, so many are the advantages of having a physically fit workforce that corporate fitness has become a rage in the business world. Many companies big and small now offer health fitness solutions to their employees as part of their benefits package.
The importance of fitness and health is for all to see. Those who ignore it, do it at their own peril.