Some forms of cardiovascular exercise include, aerobics classes, jogging, swimming, walking, stair climbing and rowing. Body composition is another important component of fitness. It is what our bodies are composed of such as muscle, bone, organs, blood, fat, etc. Your percentage of body fat is derived from this. Your percent body fat does not involve your weight, but uses a special technique to determine your percent body fat by using skinfold calipers, underwater weighing or electrical impedance.
Body fat is necessary in moderation as the body uses it for insulation, protection and fuel.
The percentage of body fat is a better indicator of your fitness than your weight according to the Cooper Institute for Aerobic Research in Dallas, Texas. In other words, for longevity in life, your fitness level is far more important than your weight. Flexibility is another important aspect of fitness that many times is overlooked until an injury occurs. Flexibility is defined as the range of motion around a joint. With increased flexibility, you are able to work muscles over a greater range of motion.