DnvrFox

There has been a recent discussion of fitness and a bit about what fitness means.

From what I have learned - traditional fitness includes the following:

• Cardio-vascular/Aerobic Fitness (endurance)
  
• Muscular Strength
  
• Body Composition (fat/lean)
  
• Flexibility

And I would add some non-traditional ones

• Bone/ligament/tendon fitness - can be improved through appropriate activities.
• Mental health fitness
  
• Financial fitness
  
• Social fitness
• Spiritual fitness

The traditional one most often ignored in the bicycling world in my opinion is muscular strength - partucularly upper body - something that decreases year-after year after about 35 years old or so, if left unattended, but almost completely avoidable with appropriate activities. Muscular fitness also interacts with bone fitness in that exercises often used to strengthen can also help with osteoporosis prevention. Some believe that osteoporosis may be associated with bicycling. Controversial, but there are several studies pointing in that direction.

And your thoughts on "fitness?"

NoRacer

I would generalize this further by blaming the lack of weight-bearing exercise. Walking/"jogging"/running is a good way to help mitigate this if your connective tissues and joints can handle it. I find trail running is the easiest on my knees--easier than treadmill, imho.

NOS88

Is there a difference between fitness and functional ability related to a specific activity or set of activities?

DnvrFox

I wouild ponder that fitness would allow you to participate in a better way in activities that are not-specific. I.e., if you are fit mostly for bicycling, you might be "bicycle fit" but not "fast-walking" fit. General fitness would - hopefully - accomplish both ends. However, it is much too early in the day for me to work my mind around such niceties, and likely even at the end of the day I won't be much better!!

oilman_15106

Fitness as compared to what? Unless a pine box is being measured for you it is all relative.

DnvrFox

For me, it's fitness compared to me. How I feel I am compared to how I want to be.

What's wrong with relative?

Wogster

They haven't used pine boxes for a long time, now it's exotic woods and fine silks, it's hard to actually bury someone for less then $10,000 now....

Roody

I think that's an excellent description of fitness. I can't think of much to add.

To your first list of traditional fitness I would maybe add "balance and co-ordination." To the second list I would add "Absence of disease" and define disease as sometihing like "something (internal) that interferes with quantity or quality of life."

cyclinfool

I would add balance to the list - probably the most ignored yet most important.

However - for me, abdominal fitness - when my belly fat is there, I feel crappy. When I have fought it back I feel great.

DnvrFox

Roody also added balance and also coordination. Good additions. I think your ab fitness would fall under muscular strength and body composition.

billydonn

Not a bad list... and the balance/coordination factor seems like a good addition. But the "financial, social, spiritual" components seem to introduce different elements outside the physical realm. Not saying they're not important, but they represent some qualitatively different dimensions that aren't easily measured. (On further reflection, I guess I feel a little uncomfortable with "financial fitness" somehow. Just my two-cents...)

Road Fan

Hmm, this leads me to downgrade myself as far as financial fitness ...

Road Fan

I kind of like the whole list as a quick self-assessment. Maybe I'm just in the mood for that right now.

DnvrFox

Please complete the poll at:

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ess-assessment