How Long Does It Take to Reach Peak Physical Fitness?

Before you can reach your peak physical fitness, you have to define what peak is for you; it won't be the same for everyone. What is your peak physical fitness goal?

Tip! One way to maximize your fitness routine is to keep track of your workouts and how well you did. This will result in positive thinking and will push you to compete against yourself.

Once you have defined it, you have to be willing to devote the time, focus, sacrifice and commitment in order to achieve it. In many cases we are talking years of effort.

How you train and how often, along with when, what and how much you eat, how much you sleep, and how often you socialize all impact on working toward your goal. Everything you do should be focused on working toward your goal.

And keep in mind that the older you get, the harder it will be to achieve your peak physical fitness goal. From a physiological standpoint, we have the best opportunity to reach our peak when we are in our late 20's to early 30's.

Tip! When looking for another way to improve fitness sometimes one needs to look no further than their pet dog. By taking the dog on walks around the neighborhood or specific trails an individual can increase the amount of exercise they and their pet get.

After that, our bodies begin to change. We start to lose muscle mass after age 50. Our metabolism begins to wane by 10 percent at retirement age. We normally flexibility to the tune of 3 to 4 inches on the sit and reach test. And we begin to lose bone density after age 65; all factors that affect fitness performance in your later years.

The point-- don't wait too long to work toward your fitness peak. As each year ticks by, it will get harder and harder to maintain your current fitness level let alone reaching a loftier one.

If you have been sedentary for a while, first get a check-up to ensure you are healthy enough to begin training. Once cleared, then begin by focusing on activities that will increase your mobility and strength. While you won't reach your goal and get "fit" doing these activities, you will gain confidence in your ability to exercise, get less sore as you go along and you will start to see results in as little as a couple of weeks.

Tip! Look for support all around you. It's a lot easier to do a workout program when you are working with others.

Work up to exercising 150 minutes per week (30 minutes per day five days per week) of moderate-intensity cardiovascular exercise as recommended by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In addition, two days per week add in strength training exercises that work the major muscle groups. Give your body time to rest and repair itself by taking one day per week off from training.

Once you can easily accomplish this training intensity, you have achieved a good physical fitness base and can start working up toward your peak physical fitness goal. You will most likely need a fitness coach or personal trainer at some point to further define the training you need to reach your peak. Keep in mind that depending on your goal, it could take months to years to reach it.

Tip! To stay healthy when exercising, it is important that your body be well hydrated. About two hours before your work-out session, drink about two servings (one serving is 8 oz) of water; during your work-out, you should drink at least 5 oz for every 20 minutes of exercise.

Before you can reach your peak physical fitness, you have to define what peak is for you; it won't be the same for everyone. What is your peak physical fitness goal?

And we begin to lose bone density after age 65; all factors that affect fitness performance in your later years.

Once you can easily accomplish this training intensity, you have achieved a good physical fitness base and can start working up toward your peak physical fitness goal. You will most likely need a fitness coach or personal trainer at some point to further define the training you need to reach your peak.