The Active for Life stage consists of three groups:

• Competitive for Life, a stage for those who compete within the formal structure of their sport; differs from Fit for Life because competitive athletes are striving to improve and to win, and they train accordingly
• Fit for Life, a stage for those who participate simply because they get satisfaction from sport or physical activity. They may, from time to time, compete at a recreational level, but that is not their primary purpose. Fit for Life also describes those who engage in non-sporting physical activity.
• sport and physical activity leaders include those individuals who contribute in ways other than being an athlete or participant in the sport or activity itself, such as coaches and instructors, officials, administrators, and those involved in sport science and medicine.

An individual is not restricted to one of these pathways at any given time. Often, individuals in the Active for Life stage will be actively involved in multiple pathways.