What is aerobics

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The official definition of aerobic activity, according to the American College of Sports Medicine, is "any activity that uses large muscle groups, can be maintained continuously, and is rhythmic in nature." Aerobic exercise, as a large group, can include brisk walking, jogging, hiking, dancing, biking, swimming, and what most of us think of when we hear the term "aerobics"-choreographed aerobic dancing.

Aerobics is generally made up of different dance moves and athletic moves, usually taken from sports like kick boxing or one or more of the various forms of martial arts. These moves are set to vigorous music, generally from 120 to 135 beats per minute. You can use weights along with your aerobic exercise-holding small hand weights or strapping weights to your ankles and/or wrists. This added weight can help you tone your muscles. Also, you can add a small step in order to transform your regular aerobics routine into what is popularly known as "step aerobics." Or, you can jump in the pool and do water aerobics. Water aerobics is an absolutely form of exercise for anybody. Water aerobics is a perfect way for people who suffer from joint pain and arthritis to get the exercise that they need along with protecting their joints and other injured areas from serious pain and aggravation.

The intensity of your aerobics routine can be modified to fit your particular health situation (you should always talk to a doctor before beginning any fitness program) and your fitness needs.

10 reasons why you should do aerobics

  1. Aerobic exercise will enlarge your heart.
  2. Aerobic exercise will help your heart increase its blood stroke volume.
  3. When you engage in aerobic exercise, your resting heart rate will slow down. A resting heart rate that is less than 60 beats per minute is a good sign of excellent physical fitness.
  4. Aerobic exercise will help your body learn to use oxygen more efficiency. More efficient use of exercise will help you increase your body's ability to burn fat while you are exercising.
  5. Aerobic exercise also ends up in more energy available for your body to use because there is more ATP and PC available in your body for energy that is needed immediately.
  6. Engaging in a lot of aerobic exercise will increase your body's endurance.
  7. Aerobic exercise will lower your blood pressure, which is fantastic for your overall health.
  8. Aerobic exercise can help your body increase its levels of good cholesterol and will decrease the amount of bad cholesterol.
  9. Engaging in aerobic exercise will reduce your risk of developing diabetes.
  10. Engaging in aerobic exercise will also reduce your risk of developing a number of other serious diseases.

If those reasons aren't enough, there are some more benefits that you can gain from aerobic exercise. The more that you participate in aerobic exercise now, the better chance you have of being at a healthy weight and having a healthy heart when you are older. Aerobic exercise will help make your entire cardiovascular system more efficient and able to work harder. The longer that you engage in aerobic exercise, the faster your recovery will become after you exercise. Aerobic exercise will improve the body composition of your entire body. Aerobic exercise will help you replace fat with muscle, improving your overall fitness and appearance. And finally, do you think that aerobic exercise is really just for your body? Participating in aerobics is also good for your mind and for your emotions. Aerobics helps you feel better mentally, and helps you deal with depression, stress, and other emotional and psychological difficulties much better.

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