A person's level of physical fitness depends largely on how frequently and intensely he or she exercises. Most health experts agree that an individual should exercise at least three times a week to maintain physical fitness. However, as a person's condition improves, he or she should increase the number of times each activity is performed. Flexibility exercises Flexibility exercises, such as bending, turning, and twisting movements, stretch the connective tissues and move the joints through a wide range of motions. See Sports and Exercise Table below.
Endurance exercises Endurance exercises include cycling, running, and swimming.
These activities, also called aerobic exercises, raise the rate of heartbeat and breathing and strengthen the circulatory and respiratory systems. See Sports and Exercise Table below. Strength exercises Strength exercises include pullups, pushups, situps, and exercises with weights. These exercises strengthen the arms and shoulders and other muscular parts of the body.