In the above continuum it illustrates the common blood markers and metrics that doctors and patients most often use to describe their health status.
CrossFit contends that each of these metrics is only a correlate to health and that an observable, measurable and repeatable measurement of fitness is actually a much more accurate assessment.
You will notice listed below the continuum there are a few metrics and we are sure that you can add a few more on your own. For each of those metrics there is a level or measurement that would mark you as sick, well or fit.
For example if you have a fasting blood sugar level less than 100 mg/dL it is normal. If it’s 126 mg/dL or higher on two separate tests, you have diabetes.
Another example a well-trained athlete might have a normal resting heart rate closer to 40 beats a minute. A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 80 beats a minute. Above a concerning resting heart rate for adults would be above 80 beats a minute.
We could continue to list all these metrics ranges but you get the idea. If one has high blood pressure most patients will be asked to start taken a prescription that will help lower blood pressure. With every medication there are side effects and rarely any side benefits. Most medications take care of one issue for example blood pressure but either negativity affect other health correlates or have no bearing on them. It is our contention that if you pursue fitness each of those metrics listed on the continuum will move towards fitness as opposed to just trying to take a pill to move one over at a time.
We also consider that if someone is incredibly fit that they have a large buffer of wellness before sickness could or would set in. Simply it pays to get fit as possible when trying to avoid sickness!
The great thing is that chasing performance gains like more strength and great speed is fun. All of the other goals will like weight loss will fall into place once you dive headlong into chasing performance!
