fit ‧ ness /ˈfɪtnəs, ˈfɪtnɪs/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ fit , ↑ fitting , ↑ fitness , ↑ fitter , ↑ misfit ; adjective : ↑ fitted , ↑ fitting , ↑ fit ≠ ↑ unfit ; verb : fit; adverb : fittingly]
1 . when you are healthy and strong enough to do hard work or play sports:
an exercise programme to improve your fitness
Running marathons requires a high level of physical fitness.
2 . the degree to which someone or something is suitable or good enough for a particular situation or purpose
fitness for
He questioned McNeil’s fitness for high office.
fitness to do something
The doctor will first determine your fitness to receive the anaesthetic.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ improve your fitness
You can improve your fitness by going for a daily run.
▪ increase your fitness
Aerobic exercise, such as jogging or cycling, will increase your fitness.
▪ work on your fitness (=try to improve your fitness)
He's working on his fitness in preparation for the New York marathon.
▪ maintain your fitness (=keep your body at a good level of fitness)
She worked hard to maintain her fitness while pregnant.
■ adjectives
▪ physical fitness (=how healthy your body is)
You need a reasonable level of physical fitness for this job.
▪ general fitness
Swimming is good for your mobility and general fitness.
▪ personal fitness
The gym offers personal fitness training by professionals.
■ fitness + NOUN
▪ fitness levels
His fitness levels are as good as someone much younger.
▪ a fitness programme British English , a fitness program AmE:
Get working on a fitness programme to suit you.
▪ fitness training
The players have to do a lot of fitness training.
▪ a fitness instructor
He was offered work as a fitness instructor.
▪ a fitness room
Other facilities in the hotel include a fitness room and a sauna.
▪ fitness equipment
We sell a range of exercise and fitness equipment for the home.
▪ a fitness fanatic informal (=someone who likes exercising a lot)
My son's something of a fitness fanatic, and works out every day.
▪ a fitness test (=an examination to see if a sports player is fully fit)
Chris Pike is facing a fitness test before tomorrow's match.
■ phrases
▪ health and fitness
books about health and fitness