By Carol Kutik, Director of Fitness & Health Promotion, Lakeshore Foundation
At Lakeshore Foundation, an ongoing goal of our fitness and health promotion department is to encourage participants to be informed about the importance of physical activity and nutrition to their overall wellness. Several times throughout the year, we design challenges that provide education and tips targeting various activities that offer something for everyone, with support and fun included along the way. Our latest challenge may be one you can adapt at your exercise facility or even at home.
This fall, we are offering a 10-week challenge from September through November called “F.I.T.T.ember.” The goal of this program is to gain a basic understanding of the minimum guidelines for a comprehensive exercise program. It’s a great way to try something new, move outside your comfort zone, or be happy and proud of your current level of activity.
So, what exactly is F.I.T.T.?
F | Frequency | How often? | Number of times a week |
I | Intensity | How hard? | Intensity of a given period |
T | Time | How long? | Duration of a single workout |
T | Type | What kind? | Type of exercises performed |
The F.I.T.T. principle includes the Frequency (F), Intensity (I), Time (T) and Type (T) of an exercise program. These guidelines are set forth by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and include FITT recommendations (slightly modified for F.I.T.T.ember) for each of the components of fitness: cardiorespiratory (cardio), strength, flexibility and neuromotor exercise. These recommendations are the same for all adults, including older adults and individuals with physical disability. As you read through the following F.I.T.T. recommendations for each component, keep in mind that it is less overwhelming when you think about spacing the number of minutes over an entire week. They can also be short- or long-term goals, and most importantly, they may vary based on an individual’s goals, fitness level, and health status. Feel free to adapt the program as needed for you.