Types of Exercise

To be physically fit, you must work on all aspects of fitness, including the following:

• Cardiorespiratory endurance (aerobic fitness) – This is the ability of the heart, lungs, and circulatory system to deliver oxygen and nutrients to all areas of your body. When you are active, you breathe harder and your heart beats faster so that your body is able to get the oxygen it needs. If you are not fit, your heart and lungs have to work extra hard during physical activity.
• Body composition (body fat) – This is the percentage of body weight that is fat. Overweight people have more body fat in relation to the amount of bone and muscle in their bodies than do people who are physically fit. Overeating, not exercising enough, or both often lead to more body fat. Being overweight increases your risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart attacks.
• Muscle strength and endurance – This is the amount of work and the amount of time that your muscles are able to do a certain activity before they get tired, such as lifting heavy objects or in-line skating.
• Flexibility – Flexibility is the ability to move joints and stretch muscles through a full range of motion. For example, people who are very flexible can bend over and touch the floor easily. A person with poor flexibility is more likely to get hurt during physical activity.

The chart below can help you gauge how exercise

Source: American Academy of Pediatrics