Aerobics to Keep Fit
Many individuals are enjoying the health benefits of aerobics to not only stay healthy but also to enjoy a fit body. Aerobics can also relieve stress, strengthen your bones, prevent or lower your blood pressure if it is high, maintain your weight, tone your muscles, improve your confidence and self-esteem, relieve any depression you may be feeling, and lift your mood. Aerobics can also maintain your flexibility, and fight the signs of aging and who wouldn’t want that benefit?
Aerobic exercise is any exercise that is repetitive, rhythmical, and of a relatively low intensity that involves large muscle groups. The aerobic exercise increases your body’s demand for oxygen and will add to the workload of your heart and your lungs which is why anyone with heart or lung issues should get the advise of their doctor before participating in aerobics.
The frequency of most aerobic programs is at least 3 days per week and not more than 6 days per week. The intensity has to be high enough to get your heart rate between 60 and 80% of its maximum rate. The duration of the exercise is usually between 20 and 60 minutes of continuous activity with a warm-up and cool-down.
Aerobic choices include jogging, brisk walking, swimming, cycling, dancing, and also cross-country skiing.
Most aerobic routines last approximately 45 minutes to an hour and start with a warm-up and end with cool down followed by final stretches. If you are in a class the time will be pre-determined by the class instructor. If you are doing the aerobics on your own you can have more flexibility with the time.
Individuals can participate in two different types of aerobics including low impact exercises and high impact, which are more energetic in nature involving a lot of movement such as jumping, hopping, or jogging.
You should speak with your doctor before starting any type of aerobics if you have had a family history of heart or respiratory issues, have problems with your joints, or have had recent surgery, or are recovering from a high impact injury.
Aerobics is an ideal exercise if you are looking for something that will fit into a busy lifestyle. Aerobic classes are usually scheduled at various days and times to accommodate most schedules. If you train aerobically on a regular basis you will not only get fit but also your body will undergo some metabolic changes at the cellular level. Your body will increase mitochondria production. Mitochondria are the “furnaces” of the body burning both fat and other nutrients. Oxygen is the key to both good health and weight loss. Aerobics helps with fat burning and improved cardiovascular health. Aerobics is usually an integral part of any good training program.
