Fitness
What actually is fitness? Everything you need to know explained
Find out more about the world’s fastest growing competition, HYROX, in the video below:
25 min
HYROX World Championships highlights – Nice
Discover what makes HYROX – the indoor fitness competition – a test of strength, endurance and determination.
Fitness is a way of life, a philosophy to improve yourself. The term fitness encompasses not only strength exercises and sports, but an entire ecosystem designed to make you feel better. This includes nutrition and a healthy lifestyle, as well as training. But before we jump into our new trainers and slip on our neon-coloured leggings, it’s time to take a closer look at the term fitness.
What exactly is fitness? Basically, it’s a variety of fitness activities consisting of strength training, stretching and cardio. But fitness also encompasses many more practices and habits. Let’s take a look at them together.
You don’t need a big gym or expensive kit for your fitness journey
© Harrison Barden/Red Bull Content Pool
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Fitness explained: key terms and concepts
To avoid getting completely lost in the fitness world, a little glossary can be quite helpful. Here are some frequently used fitness terms you’ll here regularly:
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Reps (repetitions): This refers to the repetition of an exercise in a set. So, 10 reps of squats is simply 10 squats.
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Sets: These are a series of reps performed without rest. Two sets of 10 squats can therefore also be described 10 squats performed two times.
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Squat: The art of sitting on an invisible chair. Your thighs burn, your glutes turn to steel and you wonder why you didn’t stay on the sofa. But at least your legs and bum will thank you.
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Plank: Place your elbows and toes on the mat with your back parallel to the floor. Stiffen up like the proverbial plank of wood. This exercise trains the abdominal muscles in particular.
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Burpee: Push-ups, jumps and sit-ups at the same time? It has a name: burpees. This exercise contains all the movements you can’t stand – real torture!
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Cardio: These are training sessions that increase your heart rate. This type of exercise is very healthy, prevents cardiovascular disease and keeps you in shape.
HYROX combines 1km runs…
© Jon Ho/Red Bull Content Pool
…with 8 different exercise stations like Wall Balls
© Jon Ho/Red Bull Content Pool
The different types of fitness
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HYROX: The hottest new fitness discipline combines eight 1km runs interspersed with eight different exercise stations that test strength and cardio in equal measure. The beauty of HYROX is that none of the exercises are technically complex and you compete against the clock, meaning it’s very beginner friendly and becoming massively popular around the world. Find an event near you right here.
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CrossFit: This is a discipline that combines strength training, cardio, gymnastics and weightlifting. It’s intense and can be painful, but is also extremely addictive.
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Yoga: Of course, yoga is also part of fitness. The postures and breathing exercises in yoga improve flexibility, build strength and relax the body.
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Pilates: Pilates is also about physical well-being. It focuses on strengthening the deep muscles, body alignment and breathing.
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Bodypump: This is a group course in which strength exercises are performed to the rhythm of music. It’s a fun, inclusive way to keep fit.
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Bodycombat: Bodycombat is inspired by martial arts. You punch, kick and throw hooks – without opponents, of course. An ideal discipline for letting off steam without running the risk of injuring anyone.
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Aquagym and aquabike: Water sports are suitable for anyone who wants to build muscle without breaking a sweat. But beware: it may not look like it, but these exercises are very intense. You’ll definitely feel your legs.
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What are the health benefits of fitness?
Let’s take a look at what fitness can do for your health, because apart from the six-pack, fitness also has many health benefits:
Basically, fitness offers the same benefits as sport in general. Exercise is healthy, prevents chronic diseases and helps treat many long-term conditions such as diabetes and obesity. In short: exercise is good for you.
Mental benefits and well-being
Fitness isn’t only good for your muscles, but also has a significant positive impact on your mental health. It helps with stress reduction, better moods and more self-confidence. In short, fitness and sport in general make you feel mentally stronger.
Fitness has a multitude of physical and mental benefits for everyone
© Leo Rosas/Red Bull Content Pool
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What do you need to get started with fitness?
When you feel ready to get started with fitness training, you’ll need to familiarise yourself with the equipment:
The stars of all gyms! Treadmills, cross trainers, rowing machines and exercise bikes are perfect for building endurance and burning calories. Cardio training is a vitally important part of fitness, which is why cardio machines are so popular.
Strength training equipment
Strength training equipment helps to target specific muscle groups. Think weights and those resistance machines that can look a bit off putting to gym newbies. They’re suitable for both beginners and advanced users, and great for targetting specific areas you want to work on.
Strength training is a popular aspect of the fitness spectrum
© Balazs Palfi/Red Bull Content Pool
Group classes are a great option if training alone isn’t your thing
© Daniel Zuliani/Red Bull Content Pool
Accessories such as dumbbells, kettle bells and exercise balls can be used to add some variety to your workout. These are tools that add variety to your training and isolate different muscle groups. Rubber resistance bands are also used very frequently. They’re very versatile, can be used almost anywhere and can help to train different parts of the body.
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Different types of fitness
Whether in the gym, outdoors or at home, fitness can be done anywhere. All it takes is a little motivation. A well-equipped gym naturally offers everything you need to train your whole body and you can always ask professionals for help, but if you’re more of a fan of fresh air and open spaces, there’s nothing stopping you from training outside. Maybe you like running, or there’s the option of taking part in a boot camp or a HIIT session in the park. What about staying at home? No problem at all. With a bit of equipment and a training app, you can easily perfoom great workouts from home. Any excuse? None whatsoever – there are so many different ways to do cardio and get fit, you’re guaranteed to find something for you.
Working out at home is a great option for those with limited time
© Robert Snow/Red Bull Content Pool
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Why should you integrate fitness into your everyday life?
Fitness isn’t just a trend. It’s a philosophy of life that anyone can use to do something good for their body. It’s a long-term investment in body and mind. Whether the focus is on performance, well-being or simply having fun, there’s guaranteed to be a type of fitness that suits you perfectly – and a guaranteed pay-off.
Watch as Japanese mountain runner Ruy Ueda embarks on a challenge to run himself into the record books by setting the new fastest-known time for running all of Mount Fuji’s main trails in one stroke.
23 min
Mount Fuji in One Stroke
Ruy Ueda aims to set the new fastest-known time for running all of Mount Fuji’s main trails in one stroke.
Part of this story
Mount Fuji in One Stroke
Ruy Ueda aims to set the new fastest-known time for running all of Mount Fuji’s main trails in one stroke.
Fitness
Adults hop on viral ‘rebounding’ trend to make exercise fun again — ‘I feel like a kid’
Forget boring home workouts, on-demand HITT classes and cold winter runs.
The latest wellness trend bouncing around TikTok involves a workout you might not even realize you’re doing, and that’s the point. It’s called rebounding. This low-impact exercise involves jumping on a mini fitness trampoline — called a rebounder — to get your heart pumping and support lymphatic drainage.
On Amazon, this best-selling model is currently on sale for just $129. It measures in at just 40 inches, making it ideal for small spaces while still offering room for an adult to jump, squat and jog in place. Users swear it gives them a seriously effective full-body workout, and many remark that it’s “so much fun” to use.
Clinical trials also back the benefits: a 12-week rebounding program for overweight women showed significant improvements in body composition as well as a decrease in diastolic blood pressure.
Ready to jump on the rebounding trend, too? You’d better hop on this Amazon deal fast.
This sleek rebounder by BCAN is sturdy and easy to set up, thanks to pre-assembled bungees and simpel video tutorial.
Reviewers say it’s completely changed their workouts, with one remarking they “feel like a little kid again.” Others have also noted it’s much easier on their joints than higher-impact exercises.
“It absorbs impact well and allows for a nice, smooth rebound that is gentle on the joints, making it perfect for a low-impact cardio workout,” one person explained. “Whether I’m doing high-intensity intervals or simply bouncing for fun, the movement feels fluid and responsive.
The BCAN model features an upgraded handlebar for added stability. It’s 8mm premium bungee — with a durable woven outer layer and a 350-strand natural latex core — delivers smooth, quiet bounces, so you can enjoy your workout without disturbing others.
This article was written by Miska Salemann, New York Post Commerce Writer/Reporter. As a health-forward member of Gen Z, Miska seeks out experts to weigh in on the benefits, safety and designs of both trending and tried-and-true fitness equipment, workout clothing, dietary supplements and more. Taking matters into her own hands, Miska intrepidly tests wellness products, ranging from Bryan Johnson’s Blueprint Longevity Mix to the viral Oura Ring to Jennifer Aniston’s favorite workout platform – often with her adorable toddler by her side. Before joining The Post, Miska covered lifestyle and consumer topics for the U.S. Sun and The Cannon Beach Gazette.
Fitness
Fitness trainer with 18 years of experience shares why exercise is crucial for kids: ‘Not just about health and fitness’
Exercise is often spoken about in the context of physical fitness – stronger muscles, better stamina and improved overall health. But its value, especially for children, extends far beyond the body. Regular physical activity can quietly shape character, teaching lessons about effort, patience, discipline and resilience that mirror how the real world works. From learning to cope with discomfort to understanding that progress takes time, exercise can become a powerful training ground for life itself.
Also Read | Chennai fitness trainer with 18 years of experience shares 5 simple things to focus on for long-term fitness
Chennai-based fitness trainer with 18 years of experience, Raj Ganpath – founder of the Slow Burn Method, co-founder and head coach at Quad Fitness, and author of Simple, Not Easy – is shedding light on why exercise is important for kids, with the benefits going beyond health and fitness. In an Instagram video shared on February 27, he explains how the impact of exercise extends far beyond physical wellness, shaping resilience, discipline and long-term character development.
Embracing discomfort
According to Raj, exercise is one of the healthiest ways to help children learn how to sit with discomfort in a safe, structured and sustainable way. Life inevitably brings challenges and unease – something adults understand well – but many children today are shielded from situations that test their resilience.
He explains, “Exercise is a great way to experience this discomfort in a safe and sustainable manner. Lifting weights, holding a plank, doing cardio, repping till it burns, all of these things are opportunities to embrace discomfort, opportunities to put themselves in a place where they’re not comfortable and learn from it, opportunities to practice physical and mental resilience.”
Learning hardship
The fitness trainer emphasises that hardship is an inevitable part of life, and meaningful success often requires pushing through moments of difficulty. While most adults recognise this truth through lived experience, children may not always have the same exposure to challenge. Raj believes exercise can bridge that gap.
He elaborates, “It will teach them that they need to do hard things if they want to accomplish something. Getting through a very hard workout, setting a goal and achieving it, completing a task. All of these things are not just random chores. These are incredible opportunities – opportunities to experience hardship and build fortitude.”
Delayed gratification
In today’s fast-paced world, the desire for instant gratification is stronger than ever – and children are growing up at the centre of it. With technology, streaming platforms and 10-minute delivery services, almost everything is available at the tap of a screen. As a result, the ability to wait, persist and work steadily towards a long-term goal can easily take a back seat. Exercise, notes Raj, offers a powerful counterbalance.
He explains, “Everyone wants everything right away today. This is true for us adults too, but it is even more true for our kids because this is the only world they know. A world where everything happens right then and right there, whenever they want it, wherever they want it. Exercise will teach them to wait, to be patient, to trust the process, to fail and still keep going, to work towards something larger that they will get much later. This is a very important character building quality and will serve them well for many, many years to come.”
The fitness trainer concludes, “Exercise is not just about health and fitness. It is a simulation of life itself. A ready-made character building tool available to you to help prepare your kids for life, the raw and real life that they’re going to have to deal with no matter what. So make sure they build the habit and make sure they embrace it.”
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. It is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.
Fitness
What Are “Movement Snacks”? How To Try This Trending Fitness Hack
The World Health Organization says the average adult is supposed to get 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity five days a week, which sounds somewhat doable until it’s 9 p.m., your kids are finally in bed, and you just want to fall onto the couch and dissociate. But more and more people online are talking about “movement snacks” — little bite-sized amounts of exercise you can do throughout your day to meet your 60-minute goal without having to make special time for one big workout. Because yes, we all want to be our healthiest, but sometimes a HIIT class at the gym is just not in the schedule.
We asked personal trainers and fitness coaches for their favorite movement snacks you can do in the office, around the house, and on busy weekends when everyone’s home.
How much exercise is a person really supposed to get?
While the WHO recommends 60 minutes a day, the CDC is a little more lax, recommending at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week, or about 30 minutes a day, five days a week. While it may feel like you’re the only one struggling to fit a workout into your daily routine, you’re far from alone. In fact, it’s always been hard for most Americans. So, while movement snacks may be a cute new term we’re all hearing for the first time, fitness pros have been promoting bite-sized exercise forever.
“I work with busy professionals, so I’ve been integrating micro workouts of two to 10 minutes into my clients’ lifestyles for almost 20 years,” says Andrea Marcellus, certified personal trainer and CEO of AND/life.
The most important thing for your health isn’t getting all your daily movement done in one big, perfectly curated workout — it’s about being consistent, Marcellus says. Movement snacks can help you stay consistent because you don’t have to budget a big chunk of time; instead, you can fit something simple into your day when you have three minutes to spare. Hell, you don’t even have to change clothes or go anywhere.
“Most people think movement only counts if it’s a workout. That mindset is what keeps people sedentary. In reality, your body doesn’t care if steps come from a hike, a gym session, or pacing when you’re on a call,” says Lindy Royer, physical therapist and balanced body educator. “This is where you win the game — by stacking movement into things you’re already doing.”
Movement Snacks To Try Throughout Your Day
- Set an alarm on your phone to chime every hour — that’s what women’s fitness coach Allison Kalsched tells her clients. When it goes off, stand up and do 10 bodyweight squats. Then go back to work. When you get tired of squats, mix in walking lunges, push-ups (it’s fine if they’re modified!), or dead bugs. Throw on 30 seconds of jumping jacks or high knees for bone-building benefits, which is important for women in menopause, she adds.
- Take a micro walk. “Five minutes or 500 steps is my absolute favorite,” says Dr. Milica McDowell, doctor of physical therapy, author of the forthcoming book Walk, and exercise physiologist at US Physical Therapy. “It changes mood, lowers blood pressure, boosts mental clarity, and can help you get your cumulative steps in.”
- Dance to your new favorite song with your kids or all by yourself. “Dance party was big with my kids after dinner,” Marcellus says. “It takes four to 10 mins and helps kids burn off dinner energy, while also giving parents a metabolic boost.”
- Stop and do 60 reps of any full-body exercise, like squats, lunges, or jumping jacks — this usually takes about two minutes, no matter which one you choose, Marcellus says. Or, hold a plank for one to two minutes.
- Pair walking with habits that already exist to get your steps in, like marching in place while brushing your teeth or doing a lap inside the house while your food is in the microwave. “This means you’re not adding time — you are upgrading your time,” says Royer.
- Count your housework. Sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, general domestic labor — these things totally contribute to your total exercise time each day, says Royer.
- If you go up or down the stairs at home, just… do it two or three times. That little extra here and there adds up, according to Royer.
The best advice is to focus not on “how can I move right now?” but “how can I do something that isn’t sitting right now?” Royer says. “The real truth that most people ignore is that sedentary time is the real enemy, not a lack of workouts. Focus on breaking up your sitting time. Build in frequent movement snacks. You’re not looking for perfection, just something more than nothing. You don’t need more time; you actually just need more conscious efforts to move.”
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