3 Reasons Why Physical Fitness is Important
Many people assume that exercise is great for improving health, but when they’re pressed as to why that is, they’ll usually say something along the lines of “it’s a great way to lose weight” or “I need to exercise to tone x body part”.
Their mind might conjure up images they’ve seen of social media influencers posing in front of tripod-mounted phones in gyms or to memories of the toxic television show “The Biggest Loser” which centered itself around weight loss.
However, most people are quick to miss the many life-changing benefits that come from exercise and physical fitness – many of which go beyond the weight scale or physical appearance. Here are my top 3:
Reduced Risk of Chronic Disease
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) defines chronic disease as “conditions that last 1 year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living or both” with chronic diseases that include cancer, diabetes, and heart disease topping the lists for causes of both disability and death in the United States (2024a, 2024b).
At best, dealing with a chronic disease often means spending more time going to medical appointments, spending more money on medication, and dealing with the headaches that come from trying to figure out a list of medical bills and your insurance policy. At worst? Dealing with life-altering health complications that can lead to disability, medical debt, and no longer having the option to do things that are enjoyable.
Having said all of this, it’s not all doom and gloom. The CDC recommends performing 2 or more days of resistance training in addition to at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity each week to reduce the risks of developing a chronic disease (2024c). 150 minutes per week is about 20 minutes per day. Even if time is limited, getting creative with building movement into your day doesn’t necessarily mean you have to use a fancy gym to get started. Taking the stairs, parking further away, or performing some bodyweight exercises can be sprinkled throughout your week to add to your active time.
Taking on Your Day is Easier
Another major benefit of physical fitness is that it makes many things you do each day easier.
Walking up and down stairs? Having more strength means your legs won’t get tired as easily.
Playing tag with your kids? Being physically fit will keep you from getting out of breath.
Picking up awkward objects off the floor? Strength training for your hips and lower back can help with your mobility and give you more strength to pick up things up with ease.
If you’re planning on jumping in a volleyball game with friends but unsure if your knee can take the aggressive lateral movements and jumping, a fitness program that gradually exposes you to these movements on a regular basis can help you move faster and jump higher.
Looking to stay independent as you age? Strength training helps you maintain vigor, muscle mass, and bone density. Currier et al. (2026) assert that people can improve their physical performance using progressive resistance training.
Improved Mental Health
Not only does exercise help with your physical fitness, but it also helps with your emotional health as well.
According to research conducted by Chekroud et al. (2018), when people exercised, they reported an average of 43.2% fewer days of poor mental health as compared to people who did not exercise. Taking the time to exercise can positively impact your mood. Imagine having one more day in your week where your mood helped you show up ready to take on your day and help the people you care about.
Ultimately, the benefits of engaging with fitness go far beyond looks and weight scales. Exercise has been shown to have numerous positive benefits that positively impact health and can improve a person’s quality of life. When your body can do the things you want it to do, the world opens up with possibilities for living your full life.
If you’re looking for ways to start exercising or need a few tips, check out these articles here:
5 Beginner Friendly Strength Training Exercises
How to Reach Your Fitness Goals
7 No-Equipment Resistance Training Exercises
How to Improve Muscular Strength & Endurance
How to Improve Your Cardiovascular Endurance
If you have other questions about starting an exercise program, feel free to contact me here.
Sources:
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024a, October 4). About chronic diseases. https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/about/index.html
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024b, July 12). Fast Facts: Health and Economic Costs of Chronic Conditions. Chronic Disease. https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/data-research/facts-stats/index.html
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024c, May 15). Preventing Chronic Diseases: What You Can Do Now. Chronic Disease. https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/prevention/index.html
4. Chekroud, S. R., Gueorguieva, R., Zheutlin, A. B., Paulus, M., Krumholz, H. M., Krystal, J. H., & Chekroud, A. M. (2018). Association between physical exercise and mental health in 1.2 million individuals in the USA between 2011 and 2015: A cross-sectional study. The Lancet Psychiatry, 5(9), 739–746. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2215-0366(18)30227-x
5. Currier, B. S., D’Souza, A. C., Fiatarone, M. A., Lowisz, C. V., Rawson, E. S., Schoenfeld, B. J., Smith-Ryan, A. E., Steen, J. P., Thomas, G. A., Triplett, N. T., Washington, T. A., Werner, T. J., & Phillips, S. M. (2026). American College of Sports Medicine Position Stand. Resistance training Pprescription for muscle function, hypertrophy, and physical performance in healthy adults: An Overview of Reviews. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 58(4), 851. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000003897