Fitness For All: Understanding the True Meaning of Fitness

What Does Fitness Mean Today?

What does 'Fitness' really mean? Is it truly made for everyone? How does it affect our everyday lives?

Over time, the term 'Fitness,' according to Merriam-Webster, is defined as the condition of being physically healthy. The parameters regarding health have changed and evolved tremendously over time. However, the essence remains the same: being 'Fit for Fighting.'

It may sound crazy, but once we look deeper into it, it makes perfect sense. Warriors from many generations have trained to protect their countries, just like our first responders, Navy Seals, and Marine Corps. Everyone had to meet certain qualifications to even join.

According to Bryant, J. & McElroy, M. (1997) in Sociological Dynamics of Sport and Exercise, "The proliferation of exercise equipment and fitness facilities and the emergence of personal trainers and home gyms have generated a new vocabulary of fitness terms and greater public awareness of the importance of exercise."

Did you hear that? We are reshaping the entire health and fitness world!

The Evolution of Fitness Culture

Interestingly, many marks of disgrace surrounding exercise emerged in the 1960s when radicalism and rebellion were in vogue. While rebellion is often associated with war or fighting, people were simply expressing themselves. The general public, however, did not embrace this change.

Afterward, a series of influential artists began promoting strength and conditioning for the average male. Women were allowed to participate but were often discouraged from lifting more than 10 lbs. Then the 1970s introduced bodybuilding, primarily catering to men. Women were again allowed but only under certain circumstances. Isn’t that crazy?

I am just glad to live in a world where Beauty is Strength. There are still instances where some men express discomfort about stronger women. But that’s okay. Let them be weak-minded and weak-bodied.

Life Expectancy and Fitness

Now, let’s address a concerning issue: the low life expectancy in the United States. I say 'Americans' because, regardless of whether we are "the best country in the world," our life expectancy numbers are troubling.

According to Hoyer, W.J., & Roodin, P.A. (2009) in Adult Development and Aging, "One hundred years ago, the average life expectancy in the United States was 47.3 years; today it is 77. Although people are living longer in most places, there are still great variations in life expectancy."

Shoot, those are our numbers? Really? Well, now I have to do something about it. Good! Most clients I’ve shown this to are taken aback by the reality. We have defied the numbers for over a century; what else can we achieve?

The Importance of Community Support

First things first, while extrinsic motivation is helpful, it won’t carry you as far as you need to go. Taking care of your body, especially as you age, greatly depends on communal support. This means the people and places you surround yourself with, along with your intrinsic motivation.

Supportive communities can enable individuals to solve their problems and feelings of isolation.

I genuinely hope you read this and think of someone close to you who helped you push yourself over that hump. Sometimes, it’s great to have support, but if you don’t have access to it, that’s okay! All you need is to show up for YOU!

Overcoming Gym Anxiety

Hope you enjoyed today’s read! I would love to hear about the hardest thing for you when it comes to getting into the gym. It can be anything from emergencies to sleeping in, or just not wanting to go due to stress.

Let’s talk about it and find ways to overcome those barriers together!

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