What are Different Types of Fitness Plans?

Whether one’s goal is to lose weight, improve muscle tone or endurance or achieve better all-around fitness, there are many fitness plans available that one can employ. Fitness plans can focus on aerobic exercise, muscle and strength building or full-body workouts, and they can be tailored to fit beginner, intermediate or master fitness levels. Most complete fitness plans will also incorporate a nutrition element so that a healthy balance between exercise and eating can be achieved and maintained.

Strength and muscle building is a key component to any plan for fitness. Incorporating muscle building into one’s fitness plan does not mean that a gym membership is necessary or that one will become a professional bodybuilder. Adding an emphasis on strength building into one’s personal fitness plan is helpful because it will increase lean muscle mass, burn calories more efficiently and reduce body fat. Strength training also boosts stamina, develops strong bones and helps manage chronic conditions such as depression, arthritis and osteoporosis.

Fitness plans that focus on strength training can incorporate a variety of equipment, either at home or at a fitness center. Many exercises can be done using one’s own body weight, including leg squats, abdominal crunches and push-ups. Inexpensive resistance tubing is available at most sporting goods stores and adds a new dimension to strength-training options. Free weights and weight machines can be used at home or fitness centers as traditional tools to build muscle and strength.

Aerobic exercise is a core component of many fitness training plans. Regular aerobic exercise helps shed extra pounds, reduce health risks, boost one’s mood and strengthen one’s heart. One benefit of an emphasis on aerobic exercise in a fitness plan is the versatility in options available. Popular choices include walking, running, bicycling and swimming. Any activity that gets one moving and the heart rate up counts as aerobic exercise, including things such as dancing, jumping rope or even some of the popular video games that get a person physically involved.

Nutrition is an essential component in weight loss fitness plans. There are many different types of diet and nutritional plans available, but a balanced, common-sense approach is often best. Incorporating water, fruits, vegetables, healthy carbohydrates and proteins into one's diet will provide energy and stamina and can promote healthy weight loss. One should ensure that a sensible nutrition plan is in place for any physical fitness plans, because one’s body needs solid nourishment in order to perform at a beneficial level during exercise.