What Is the FITT Formula for a Workouts Strategy?

Have you heard of the FITT formula? An acronym for "frequency, intensity, type and time," it's commonly used to plan workout strategies. All forms of exercise are good for your health. To reap the full benefits of exercise, though, you need to plan the right workout strategy. With the FITT formula, you can achieve this goal. The FITT formula makes it easy to plan an effective workout strategy.

Overview of the FITT Formula

The FITT formula takes into account four criteria for your workout strategy: frequency, intensity, type and time. Frequency refers to how often you intend to exercise. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults should spend at least 75 minutes performing vigorous exercise per week or 150 minutes performing moderate-intensity exercise per week. Frequency is simply how often you intend to exercise per week.

Intensity refers to the level of exercise intensity. There are low-, medium- and high-intensity exercises. Low-intensity exercises consist of walking, yoga and other easy-to-perform exercises. Medium-intensity exercises consist of activities like jogging, cycling and swimming. High-intensity exercises, on the other hand, consist of strenuous activities like lifting weights.

Type, of course, refers to the exercise type. There are dozens of types of exercises. Some of them target specific groups of muscles, whereas others are whole-body exercises. When planning your workout strategy, you should consider the type. Type is one of the four criteria for the FITT formula.

Time is pretty self-explanatory. It refers to the length of time you intend to spend exercising per session. Longer sessions don't always lead to bigger and better gains. If you spend too much time exercising, your body won't have the opportunity to recover. With the FITT formula, you'll need to consider the length of your exercise sessions.

Benefits of Using the FITT Formula

The FITT formula will allow you to plan a more effective and successful workout strategy. Not all workout strategies are made equal. Some workout strategies are more effective than others. The problem is that different people need different workout strategies, which is where the FITT formula comes into play. Using the FITT formula, you can develop a custom workout strategy that paves the way for success.

The FITT formula may even lower your risk of chronic disease. Chronic diseases, including heart disease, are often attributed to a lack of exercise. If you don't exercise, you'll have a higher risk of chronic disease. The FITT formula will ensure that you get enough exercise, as well as the right type of exercise, to minimize your risk of chronic disease.