Overview

Being physically active means doing any kind of activity that gets your body moving.

The types of physical activity that can help you get fit and stay healthy include:

• Aerobic or "cardio" activities. These make your heart beat faster and make you breathe harder, such as brisk walking, riding a bike, or running. They strengthen your heart and lungs and build up your endurance.
• Strength training activities. These make your muscles work against, or "resist," something. Examples include lifting weights or doing push-ups. These activities help tone and strengthen your muscles and bones.
• Stretches. These let you move your joints and muscles through their full range of motion. Stretching helps you be more flexible.

Reaching a balance between these three types of physical activity is important because each one contributes to your overall fitness.