Unfortunately most people out there think that the size of your biceps or definition of your abs are the only indicator of how “in shape” one is.  However this is usually not the case, and the real answer is…well…it depends.  For example, a bodybuilder may appear to be in great shape, but likely does not run well and have great flexibility whereas a marathon runner has great running endurance, but is probably not very strong lifting weights.  So what does it mean to be “in shape?”

• While having a 6-pack stomach looks great at the beach, it is not the end-all-be-all of conditioning.  Many times this can be controlled with strict dieting and moderate exercise.  There are many NFL football players without ripped abs that nobody would consider to be out of shape.  Instead, this should be classified as a obtaining a healthy body fat percentage.
• Big Muscles look good in the mirror, but are not always a sure indicator either.  While everyone wants to look good at the beach, only lifting weights will often lead to downfalls in other areas of fitness such as flexibility, balance, and cardiovascular health.
• Running is also a great mode of exercise, but those who only run tend to have low muscle mass and low peak power production.  While runners tend to have lean bodies, they also risk injuries from overuse such as shin splints, knee/hip pain, and poor posture.

In the end, the real answer is: In order to be “in shape” one must be well versed in a variety of modes of exercise that combines strength, endurance, agility, balance, and flexibility while maintaining a healthy balance of lean muscle/body fat ratio.  At Chicago Family Fit, we design fitness programs that encompass all areas of fitness, and not just the ones that may show up in the mirror.  We want to develop clients that are capable of doing a variety of movements, lifts, and maneuvers efficiently and injury free.

For more information, please call (773) 706-8705 or email us at chicagofamilyfit@gmail.com