On Deck for Activity

Remember, “fitness” can be defined in many ways, depending on your goals, your current level of activity, and how much time you have available. A program that includes aerobics, resistance training and stretching will give you the greatest overall health benefits. But, if you can’t do it all, don’t sweat it!

Remember the latest health advice: accumulating 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity over the course of a day can add up to significant health benefits. The important thing is to do something, as opposed to nothing.

If you can do more, terrific! The formula above is the minimum. The following sections will help you select activities to build a well-rounded, efficient and safe routine.

Before you jump into any fitness activity, though, check out “The Basics” for some crucial points that will help you get the gain without the pain.

The Basics: Principles for Pain-Free Fitness

Perhaps the two most important things to remember are: WARM UP FIRST, COOL DOWN LAST. These two crucial steps, with stretching as an integral element in both, will help you improve your health through fitness without suffering unnecessary pain or injury.