Genetics and Fitness: Making The Most Of What You Have

Not all mean are created physically equal. Each of us have our own unique genetic makeup. These genetic variables dictate our fitness, fat loss, muscle development and athletic ability. There is nothing much we can do about genetics but genetics is only the raw material. Everybody has the integral ability to maximize fitness, fat loss as well as muscle and athletic potential. Just like a raw diamond, your body has the capacity to be great. Cut and polished to perfection, a diamond dazzles. Your body is also capable of doing the same once it has reached its full potential.

Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the amount of energy needed to maintain basic body processes. Compared to some people, others may have faster basal metabolic rates. null It is because muscles require a higher amount of calories to keep functioning. Genetics determine the number of fat cells in one's body. Generally, women have more fat cells than men. Fat cells can only be reduced in size; liposuction is needed to reduce it in number. However, it is possible to increase the number of fat cells by having a high fat diet. Exercise and a sensible nutrition plan though can decrease fat cells' size dramatically.

Symmetry and body proportion are certainly hereditary. There are people who naturally have long limbs while there are those with short ones. Proportion and symmetry is dependent on how each body part relates to each other. Working on your weak parts to make it your body appear proportional is achievable. There are people with large, medium, or small bones. Big boned people complain that they appear overweight but this has nothing to do with how you lose fat. Muscles insert onto the same bones in humans but the exact point varies. This affects leverage and therefore, strength.

Muscle fibers like fat cells are also genetically predetermined. People with more muscle fibers naturally have more potential to grow bigger. There are two types of muscle fibers; the fast twitch and slow twitch muscle fibers. Endurance activities like running use slow twitch muscles while strength is dictated by the amount of fast twitch muscles. You have more fast twitch muscles if you are into weight training. Food tolerance problems like allergies, insulin response and carbohydrate sensitivity affect one's relationship with food. Digestive capacity also differs in terms of absorption and utilization of nutrients. Some people even have longer digestive tracts than others.

If you feel that you've been dealt a rotten hand genetically, don't despair. Genetics does not have sole control of how your body turns out. Fat loss is determined more by factors that you can control. Success comes when you make the most of what you have.

Over at the FitnessArmory.com, you can let our expert advice on fitness and equipment reviews help you create the perfect home gym but without all the huge costs. We have the exclusive reviews on all your favorite brands and models to help you get in shape, get healthy and look great. Recent product reviews include: Stamina Ab Hyper Bench, Stamina AeroPilates Pro XP-556 Reformer, Stamina 7250 Recumbent Exercise Bike, Stamina 9200 CPS Indoor Bike. We invite you to stop by or drop us a line if you have any questions or need help with your fitness equipment selections.