Definition of Aerobics

Here is a definition of aerobics that will give you a better understanding of the importance aerobics when it comes to helping you achieve your weight loss goal.

Definition of Aerobics

The word 'aerobic' means 'with oxygen'. Any form of exercise may be considered to aerobic if it does the following:

Uses the large muscle groups of the body

Increases the heart rate to approximately 60-80% of your maximum heart rate

May be carried out over an extended period of time without the accumulation of lactic acid (which indicates other systems are being used).

Lactic acid causes the 'burning feeling' in the muscles when exercise is performed and this should only be felt very mildly, if it all, during aerobic exercise.

When considering a definition of aerobic exercise it is important to be aware of the error many people make. Aerobics or aerobic exercise is often called, 'cardiovascular exercise' when in actual fact a far more suitable definition is, 'cardiorespiratory exercise'.

The term, 'cardio' relates to the heart and 'vascular' relates to the blood vessels so when someone uses the term, 'cardiovascular', as in 'cardiovascular system', they are referring to the heart and blood vessels or more specifically, the circulatory system. There is no question that this system is involved when performing aerobic exercise.

However, a more appropriate definition of aerobic exercise is, 'cardiorespiratory exercise'. This then refers to exercise that involves both the circulatory system and respiratory system (airways, lungs and muscles of respiration) that increases the transport of oxygen to the working muscles during sustained exercise.

Aerobic exercises may include, but are not limited to, the following forms of exercise: walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, dancing, rowing, rollerblading and boxing.

The importance of aerobics (aerobic exercise) cannot be over-emphasised. One of the greatest benefits of aerobic exercise is that it increases the rate at which the body burns up fuel because muscle contractions (body movement) require energy to be expended. This means that the metabolism speeds up and having an accelerated metabolism is necessary for accelerating fat loss.

Not only does aerobic exercise keep your metabolism elevated during the exercise itself but it also keeps your metabolism elevated for several hours after the exercise is completed. As a result, even more fuel (fat) will be burned.

The longer or more intense the exercise you perform, the longer your metabolism will remain elevated after the completion of the exercise session.

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