National Fitness Day Date in the current year: May 4, 2024

The term “physical fitness”, commonly shortened to fitness, refers to the overall state of being fit and healthy enough to perform daily tasks with ease and with extra energy to enjoy leisure-time activities. It became widespread in the second half of the 20th century due to a growing awareness of the importance of physical activity for overall physical, mental, and emotional health.

Fitness is typically achieved through physical exercise, proper nutrition, and sufficient rest. To reduce the risk of health problems and maintain overall health, health professionals recommend a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity of moderate intensity every or almost every day. It doesn’t have to be gym-style workouts or long runs; walking or cycling to work, long walks with your dog, stair climbing, gardening, and other types of physical activity that you can incorporate in your daily routine also count.

Everyone strives to achieve fitness for their own reasons, but it important to keep in mind that fitness is never about just one thing, like maintaining a healthy weight or beating your personal records. It is about feeling good about yourself, celebrating what your body is capable of, and empowering yourself to grow stronger every day, one step at a time. A healthy lifestyle shouldn’t feel like a tedious chore; if you approach it right, it should bring you joy, inspiration, and a sense of accomplishment. And this is what National Fitness Day is about: finding joy and empowerment in staying fit and healthy.

National Fitness Day was launched in 2017 by fitness enthusiast Kim Bielak. After running her first marathon in 2015, Bielak was inspired to share the sense of growth and empowerment she experienced with athletes from across the nation. She was surprised to discover that there wasn’t a National Fitness Day in the United States, so she teamed up with like-minded fitness enthusiasts to create one. For the inaugural celebration, Bielak hosted an event called Class for a Cause to raise money for Girls on the Run, a nonprofit that inspires girls to realize their potential through a physical activity-based curriculum.

The official website of National Fitness Day hasn’t been updated since 2020, but fitness enthusiasts across the country still celebrate it. There are many ways to get involved; you can attend a National Fitness Day event near you or even organize an event of your own, wear black workout clothes as a symbol of strength and empowerment, try a new healthy recipe, find new and exciting ways to incorporate physical exercise in your daily life, or set specific fitness goals to track your progress. And don’t forget to post about the holiday on social media with the hashtag #NationalFitnessDay to spread the word and encourage others to celebrate and stay fit.