Two Views of Fitness

It seems that most gyms today look at fitness or physical training as a means to alter appearance. There are several reasons why having this perspective holds very few benefits to overall physical, mental, and spiritual health. Many people who train for appearance are willing to take anything and try any diet for fast results. The problem with that is the constant weight fluctuation and yo-yo dieting. No realistic, lifestyle changing habits are formed. Look at plastic surgery for example. Many people who get plastic surgery are soon unsatisfied and return for more. They valued the deception of looking healthy rather than actually being healthy. This proves that the problem is more than skin deep.
The most beneficial perspective on physical fitness is the idea that fitness should be used as a means to enhance the quality of life. It seems that we have strayed from the simplistic, common sense view of physical fitness. You train for better health. The benefits of better health are innumerable ranging from having more energy to having higher self-esteem. The appearance part of physical training will come in addition to being physically fit as long as your expectations are realistic.
What is so ironic is that many of today’s fitness specialists are so unhealthy. Many personal trainers are overweight and cardiovascularly unfit. They seem so focused on being bigger and leaner that they forsake physical fitness by taking supplements and looking for the fast, easy way to results. How can you require discipline and hard work from clients if you don’t hold up to these standards yourself? Instead of being more physically healthy, we are seeing people with higher blood pressure and higher body weights. In addition, we are seeing many people dealing with the frustration of unrealistic eating patterns that only lead to broken promises and weight fluctuation. Does that sound like good health to you?