Fitness is about improving your physical abilities, health and well-being. There are different types of fitness such as cardio fitness, muscle endurance, muscle strength, speed, power and flexibility.
Regular exercise gives you the best chance of maintaining fitness and long term health.
Anyone can improve their fitness - you don't have to be into competitive sport or do it in public and it doesn't have to cost a lot of money.
The best way to approach fitness is to do it for your own reasons.
The benefits
Exercising regularly can help you:
- Develop more energy
- Look healthier
- Manage your weight
- Feel better about yourself
- Manage stress
- Improve your mental health
- Meet new people
- Live longer
Find out more about the benefits of regular exercise at the Better Health Channel's physical activity page (new window).
Ways to keep fit
There are lots of ways to get fit (or fitter) including free or low-cost activities you can do:
- On your own - walking, running or swimming
- With friends - bushwalking or roller-blading
- As part of everyday life - walking or cycling
- With a group or association - netball, soccer, martial arts or basketball
- By attending some type of group exercise class - aerobics, kick-boxing or dancing
Some classes offer student and Health Care Card discounts, or a cheaper rate if you attend regularly.
The gym thing
Some people find regular visits to a gym or fitness centre really enjoyable, and attending regularly is a great way of improving fitness and health.
They tap into advantages such as:
- Advice and guidance from qualified instructors
- Having an exercise program developed to meet individual needs
- Access to other programs such as classes and facilities like a pool or sauna
- Being in an environment where other people are focused on fitness
- Making an exercise routine a habit through regular gym visits
Gym or fitness centre programs and membership don't always suit everyone.
Disadvantages can include:
- Feeling self-conscious or not really getting into the atmosphere
- Not having time or transport to regularly get to the gym
- Having good intentions at the start that fall away
- Getting bored with the programs
- Wasting money if you don't make full use of facilities or sign up for a fixed period of time and then stop going
If you are thinking of joining a gym or fitness centre, give yourself time to shop around and try places on a casual basis before signing up.
The same applies to any type of exercise or movement class
The Better Health Channel's page on fitness centres and gyms (new window) is a great place to find out more info and to find a suitable one in your area.
Links
Go for your life
Information and ideas on sport, recreation and activities to suit people of all ages and walks of life with sections for teenagers and young adults.
Better Health Channel
Includes a selection of articles such as Fitness Centres - how to choose one, Aerobic Exercise, Tai Chi, and Walking. Subjects include sports, conditions, weight management and quizzes.
VICFIT Physical Activity Online
This infoline offers step-by-step advice and information on a more active and healthy life through a free call number. You can get free, personalised help over the phone to assess your current activity level and ideas and information about local physical activity resources to visit, join or tap into.
