Fitness

Fitness is defined using various characteristics that pertain to a person's ability to participate in physical activity and exercise. Moderate to high levels of fitness are important to a person's ability to engage in daily living activities without major stress and strain to the various body systems, and with enough energy left over to participate in recreational activities. Articles written as early as 1894 indicated that most exercises were too dangerous for women to engage in for fear of the development of various unattractive manly physical qualities. The only physical activity recommended for women was walking, which was said to be the most conducive to physical beauty. Since that time, the value of exercise for women has been researched and the benefits of physical activity participation far exceed that of physical beauty.

During the early 1980s, Jane Fonda introduced aerobic dance to the nation and many women were attracted to it because it incorporated dance moves to music. Women who had not participated in any type of exercise program prior began to get involved with this popular method of exercise. Today, women of all ages are still involved in group fitness classes that combine exercise with socialization. Today, women participate in not only aerobic dance, but other popular group fitness classes such as spinning, step aerobics, kick boxing, yoga, pilates, tai chi, zumba, and other fitness classes that offer a combination of cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, and endurance activities. The popularity of the group fitness concept combined with the desire many women have for exercising with other women, or more specifically, without men, has transpired into the development of “women only” fitness centers. One of the most popular of these centers is Curves for women. In 2005, Curves was the fastest growing franchise in U.S. history reporting over 8,500 franchises worldwide.

The reasons men and women cite for exercise participation are often very different. A survey conducted by America Sports Data indicates that women's primary motivation in exercising is to control their weight. Men, on the other hand, are more interested in the development of muscle mass. Women have often worried that, by lifting weights, they would become too bulky and develop large muscles that are seen in some fitness or body building magazines; however, this is a myth. Most women are not genetically predisposed to the development of large muscles.

The desire to control weight is rightly in the forefront of women's minds, as there are many health risks associated with being overweight or obese. Women, in particular, see an increased risk in diseases such as arthritis, birth defects, breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, gallbladder disease, obstetrical and gynecological complications, urinary stress, incontinence, and pften suffer from stigma and discrimination issues. In addition, participation in exercise sessions is critical to the management of stress common to all women.