What is Fitness? How do we improve it?

What is Fitness?

Fitness is observable, measurable, and repeatable.

Fitness is based on kinematics; it's based on Force, Distance, and Time:

Fitness is Work Capacity Across Broad Time and Modal Domains.

Fitness is also a hedge against Sickness and Chronic Disease.

The more well-rounded we are at doing any and all physical tasks well, means that we are fit, i.e. we are only as fit as we are capable of performing any given task at any point in time.

It all boils down to the equation for Power:
Power = (Force * Distance) / Time

In more simpler terms, if we can move large loads, over long distances, quickly, then that means we are generating high amounts of Power.

The more Power we can generate in any given task, the fitter we generally are.

We know what to do to improve our Fitness through making sure we generate high amounts of Power, but how do we go about doing this?

We do Constantly Varied, Functional Movements, at High Intensity.

We have to be able to do a variety of any and all combinations and iterations of Functional Movements (movements that our bodies were designed to do; they consist of "universal motor recruitment patterns; they are performed in a wave of contraction from core to extremity; and they are compound movements–i.e., they are multi-joint. They are natural, effective, and efficient locomotors of body and external objects").

We need to be able to not only perform Functional Movements well, with proper technique, but also repeatedly well, under all kinds of conditions and even stress levels, and at speed and varying loads. This is why or how High Intensity is important.

Intensity is defined as Power.

The more Power we generate in a given task by moving more weight, going longer or faster, the higher Intensity it is.

This is where our adaptation to the Functional Movements happens.

We improve our Fitness by increasing Intensity.

We first move faster, and then move more weight, over longer distances.

Everything we do at Idahome Movement Academy is based on improving our Fitness (Work Capacity Across Broad and Modal Domains).

Combined with proper Nutrition, laid out in Blog Post 1 of this 8-part series, doing Constantly Varied Functional Movements at High Intensity, will allow us to improve our Fitness and ultimately Health.

Stay tuned to Blog Post 3 for how improving our Fitness ultimately improves our Health.