The FITT principles are an exercise prescription to help participants understand how long and how hard they should exercise. FITT is acronym that stands for Frequency, Intensity, Time, and Type. FITT can be applied to exercise in general or specific components of exercise. For example, below are some general FITT guidelines for weekly exercise. Frequency: Daily moderate exercise is ideal, but try to exercise a minimum of 3-5 days per week. Intensity: Moderate to vigorous intensity exercise is recommended for adults. Time: 30-60 minutes per day. Type: To maintain a well-balanced fitness level, perform a variety of exercises included cardio, strength, and flexibility training.
Think of The FITT principle as a set of rules that must be adhered to in order to benefit from any form of fitness training program. These rules relate to the Frequency, Intensity, Type and Time (FITT) of exercise… These four principles of fitness training are applicable to individuals exercising at low to moderate training levels and may be used to establish guidelines for both cardiorespiratory and resistance training. The FITT principle is used to guide the development of unique and bespoke fitness plans that cater for an individual’s specific needs. FrequencyFollowing any form of fitness training, the body goes through a process of rebuild and repair to replenish its energy reserves consumed by the exercise. The frequency of exercise is a fine balance between providing just enough stress for the body to adapt to and allowing enough time for healing and adaptation to occur…
INTENSITYThe second rule in the FITT principle relates to intensity. It defines the amount of effort that should be invested in a training program or any one session. Like the first FITT principle – frequency – there must be a balance between finding enough intensity to overload the body (so it can adapt) but not so much that it causes overtraining. Heart rate can be used to measure the intensity of cardiorespiratory training. Workload is used to define the intensity of resistance training.
Heart Rate & Maximum Heart Rate Target Heart Rate For fitter, more advanced individuals, a target heart rate zone of 70-85 percent of their maximum of heart rate may be more appropriate. Staying with the example above, that 40 year old now has a heart rate zone of 126bpm – 153bpm. There are limitations with heart rate and the heart rate reserve method, while no means flawless, may be a more accurate way to determine exercise intensity.
TYPEThe third component in the FITT principle dictates what type or kind of exercise you should choose to achieve the appropriate training response… Cardio Respiratory Training Resistance Training TIMEThe final component in the FITT principle of training is time – or how long you should be exercising for. Is longer better? Cardio Respiratory Training Beyond the 45-60 minute mark there are diminished returns. For all that extra effort, the associated benefits are minimal. This also applies to many athletes. Beyond a certain point they run the risk of overtraining and injury. There are exceptions however – typically the ultra-long distance endurance athletes. In terms of the duration of the program as a whole, research suggests a minimum of 6 weeks is required to see noticeable improvement and as much as a year or more before a peak in fitness is reached. Resistance Training Perhaps the most important principle of training (that ironically doesn’t have it’s own letter in the FITT principle) is rest. Exercising too frequently and too intensely hinders the body’s ability to recover and adapt. As a rule of thumb, the harder you train, the more recovery you should allow for. Unfortunately many athletes don’t have that luxury! Sports Training PrinciplesThe FITT principle is designed more for the general population than athletes. Sport-specific training should be governed by a more in-depth set of principles. These include:
For a more detailed look at the the principles of training for athletes, see the excellent “Sports Training Principles” (1997) by Frank Dick.
FITT stands for Frequency or how many times per week you are doing the exercise. I, stands for intensity, which is how hard the activity is being done. T, is for time, which mean how long is each exercise session. The last T stands for Type, which means are you using a bike, a stair climber or a treadmill.
The FITT acronym can remind you to slightly alter the Frequency, Intensity, Time (duration), and Type of exercise you do, as you are able, to steadily improve your physical fitness. Cardiovascular aerobic exercise, or “cardio,” is one of three main types of exercise. (The other two are strength training and stretching.) It is any repetitive, rhythmic exercise that increases your heart rate and requires you to use more oxygen. These FITT guidelines can help you stay on track for fitness in the cardiovascular aerobic exercise component of your overall exercise plan. Cardiovascular aerobic exercise FITT guidelines:
Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs. |