Good physical health is a fragile thing that demands a balance of cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and healthy body-fat levels, and it takes a consistent effort to be maintained. The key is to analyze your fitness levels by monitoring your physical health with objective measurements such as body-fat, endurance and strength tests. This presents a clear picture and will help you to continually set new fitness goals.

Achieving good physical health is only half of the fitness battle, maintaining it is the other half. Many deconditioned people that I meet were at one time healthy and on top of their game. There is a group of people that were elite athletes in their prime, but as they aged their activity levels declined along with their physical health. There is a definite denial factor where many people mentally feel as if they are elite athletes, but after years of deconditioning (often gaining 20 to 30 pounds) they are not near the physical state that they were in when they were younger. Is it possible for the brain and eyes to lose contact with each other when it comes to looking in the mirror?

The fact is that measuring your health and fitness improvements is a challenge without using objective tests. Everyone knows that mirrors can lie so many of us have come to rely on the scale. The scale can tell you if you lose or gain weight, but it does not tell you if you have lost or gained muscle or fat. Body-fat measurements are often a better indication of your improvements with this regard.

Consistency is the most important part of a good exercise program. Take cardiovascular conditioning for example. Cardiovascular exercise will improve your endurance, energy levels, and it can also help reduce your cholesterol, blood pressure and body-fat. However, the results will be short lived if the program is not maintained a minimum of three times each week. There are many simple cardiovascular tests that can be performed to measure your cardiovascular strength to ensure that you can maintain your improved levels. The most convenient tests are built right in to many modern pieces of cardiovascular equipment found in many health clubs.

Maintaining good strength levels is also an important part of a good exercise program. It is important as we age to keep our muscles toned and strong in order to prevent muscle weakness and overall deconditioning. Making sure you have a balanced workout and recording your performance on a weekly basis can ensure that you do not decline in this area.

Taking the necessary steps to monitor your fitness levels will ensure you are aware of your physical health allowing you to set and achieve your fitness goals.

Shaun Karp is a certified personal trainer in Vancouver. For further information call his office at 604-420-7800.