Why Being In Shape Doesn’t Always Mean You’re Conditioned

Man working out
Photo by Gordon Cowie on Unsplash

There are many facets to consider when discussing the matter of “being in shape”, as any personal trainer will tell you. It’s not as simple as just eating less candy and doing push-ups every day (although those steps taken can certainly be helpful). There are so many different ways to get in shape, and it really depends on what your goal is. Being “conditioned” is a murky area when it comes to fitness, but here’s what it’s all about.

Conditioning Is Contextual

Being conditioned is all about the context in which it’s being applied. For instance, if you play for a football team, there’s a specific kind of “conditioning” ritual required to make sure you’re able to compete at the highest level in the game. This is because every sport is different, and requires different things from our body. Conditioning for a football game isn’t the same as conditioning for a track meet, or a baseball game for matter.

Be Intentional About Your Workouts

This is why you shouldn’t just “work out” mindlessly. You can seem fit on the surface but still have trouble in the context of a hockey or basketball game. Luckily, practice makes practice, and the more you participate in the thing you’re trying to succeed in, the closer you’ll be to being conditioned in it!