Use
Aerobic Exercise as a Building Block
There is More to Cardio than
Just Running
-- By Zach Van Hart
If the exercise world was to pick
a mascot, what do you think it would be? A jump rope? A punching
bag? A man with a giant baseball as a head? If we had to guess,
it would be a treadmill. This machine is one of many ways to get
moving and running, which is vital to anyone who is exercising.
This is because it’s aerobic exercise, a cornerstone to being physically
fit.
Aerobic exercise uses large muscle
groups rhythmically and continuously and elevates the heart rate
and breathing for a sustained period. Say what? In other words,
you are exercising at a faster but stable rate, as the heart and
lungs try to keep up with your demand for blood and oxygen so you
can continue exercising.
The beautiful thing about aerobic
exercise is you can do it everyday without even knowing it! When
you walk up the stairs instead of taking the elevator, when you
ride bikes with your family, and when you run with your dog--it’s
all aerobic exercise.
The benefit list for aerobic exercise
includes decreasing cholesterol levels and blood pressure, improving
muscular endurance, reducing body fat, and it makes your heart,
lungs and bones stronger. You will breathe easier and your heart
will be much healthier.
Eventually, you will want to build
up your cardio level so you can also partake in anaerobic exercise,
which is exercise at a more difficult pace. This is when you are
going all-out, like the 100-meter dash. Consider anaerobic the icing
on the cake to good, cardio exercise. It’s important to gradually
work anaerobic exercise into your workout, starting with very low
intensity, especially if you’re not used to it. Doing 20 wind sprints
or something similar right away can lead to injury or worse.
Here are some examples of both aerobic
and anaerobic exercises. Feel free to try some or all of them out
when you are ready:
Aerobic
Running
Riding a bike
Elliptical machine
Rollerblading
Swimming
Skiing, especially cross-country
Canoeing
Spinning
Even walking!
Anaerobic
Weight lifting
Sprinting – on your feet or a bike
Jump rope
Sports like tennis, basketball, football
