General fitness training works towards broad goals of overall health and well-being, rather than narrow goals of sport competition, larger muscles or concerns over appearance. A regular moderate workout regimen and healthy diet can improve general appearance markers of good health such as muscle tone, healthy skin, hair and nails, while preventing age or lifestyle-related reductions in health and the series of heart and organ failures that accompany inactivity and poor diet.

Diet itself helps to increase calorie burning by boosting metabolism, a process further enhanced while gaining more lean muscle. An aerobic exercise program can burn fat and increase the metabolic rate.

General Fitness

There are many benefits to increasing one’s general fitness level, such as a reduction in stress,^[1] to feel better, a decreased likelihood of contracting many cardiovascular diseases, etc. Implementing or emphasizing an increased consistent level of physical activity is a surefire way to increase general fitness levels. The amount that one must be active and in doing what varies from person to person; for example, LeBron James has a much different training regimen than Judge Judy.

There are also many ways to decrease one’s general fitness level. Injury, stress, tragedy, all of these can cause one to become less active and decreasing your body’s BMR. A general reduction in physical activity will also absolutely cause a decrease in general fitness.

Diet

Diet itself helps to increase calorie burning by boosting metabolism, a process further enhanced while gaining more lean muscle. An aerobic exercise program can burn fat and increase the basal metabolic rate (BMR) in obese adults, studies show that through proper diet over the span of 6 months in obese adults has shown a positive correlation in fitness and mood, as well as a weight loss average of over 27.5%^[1]  Studies also show reduced level of hunger and several other symptoms, such as inability to get up in the morning and frequent anxiety.^[2]

Fitness and Mental Stability

Physical fitness and mental stability go hand in hand, as research suggests that although physical and aerobic activity betters ones physical capabilities, it also helps with ones positive body image and self esteem. Studies show that physical fitness helps improve positive body image and self esteem, perceivable increased stress management, reduction of depression and anxiety,^[3] as well as enhance mood states and overall cognitive function.^[1] This all further shows the importance behind the usage of physical fitness for mental stability and why it is so important to engage in the practice of it.

Weight loss and Muscle Definition

General fitness training may be used to promote weight loss. Personal trainers construct a program centered on restructuring lifestyle while helping to provide the necessary motivation for its success.

General fitness training can also be used to promote toning or building of muscles, which are essentially the same physiological process. (However, 'toning' implies moderate muscle definition, whereas 'building' implies increasing musculature significantly.)

The definition of weight loss is losing as much as or more than 3% body weight,^[4] although there is no completely defined definition as to what weight loss is, as one must take into account expert opinion, body type, previous study precedents, and normal weight fluctuations.^[4]

COVID-19

General fitness training can improve immune response and strengthen the body's natural defenses against COVID-19 and other viruses.^[5]

More Specialized Fitness Training

See also

• Dieting
• Exercise physiology
• Exercise
• Health
• Kinesiology
• Neurobiological effects of physical exercise
• Physical exercise
• Physical fitness
• Power training
• Social influences on fitness behavior
• Split weight training
• Strength training
• Training Split
• Weight training

References