One of todays most popular exercises is aerobics. The one version we know of is what we usually see practiced in gyms with groups, often led by an instructor and filled with some bouncy music.
However, aerobics actually include more physical activities than that. Walking, jogging, biking, dancing, swimming, basketball, skiing and many more physical activities can all be performed aerobically.
Loosely defined, aerobics is any physical activity done with moderate levels of intensity and for an extended period of time. Those activities with frequent breaks in-between are not considered aerobic (like doing a 100-meter sprint).
Primary benefits
Most aerobic exercises are geared towards making the heart pump faster than it ordinarily does, and makes your breathing faster and quicker. Working the heart this way makes it stronger and more efficient in helping the circulation in the body.
Because of efficient circulation, the mood of the person doing the exercise becomes elevated, and the energy level increases.
Inside the body, the number of red blood cells also increases. This, in turn, helps in making the system more efficient in transporting oxygen all over the body.
Aside from a healthy heart and an efficient circulation system in action, the body benefits greatly because of increased oxygen delivered by the blood to all parts. After a while, the muscles become trained for endurance as well.
In turn, this strengthens the muscles, especially those related to respiration including the flow of air in and out of the lungs. Overall, the bodys muscles become toned which again helps improve circulation and reduce high blood pressure.
In high-impact aerobics (which includes jogging or jumping rope), bone growth is stimulated. This helps in reducing osteoporosis risk in men and women alike.
Other benefits
Consequently, because of aerobics, there are many beneficial decreases that happen in the body. First, there is a measurable decrease (and sometimes the disappearance) of the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
There is also a decrease in blood pressure as well as a lower count in cholesterol level. As stated, these are some of the critical points which help decrease a persons risk in having cardiovascular diseases.
Added to these would be a considerable decrease in body fat over time, again helping in the reduction of the risk of cardiovascular problems. Blood sugar is now being used and hence a decrease of its presence.
Because of the toning of respiratory muscles and subsequent decreases of all the bad elements in the circulatory system, persons who do aerobics lose their old difficulties of short breaths and early fatigue.
Another happy note is that most people who do aerobics become less anxious and depression-prone. Exercise, notably the less strenuous kind, produces endorphins, the natural mood enhancers. It can also help some people sleep better.
Because aerobics burn fats, it definitely helps obese people lose weight. Aerobics is one exercise that is ideal to maintain a healthy weight level.
Medical practitioners know that regular exercise benefit most people, even those with conditions like asthma. Aerobics fits the ideal exercise bill. Of course, one must first consult a doctor to know what the aerobic exercise program is best and what to avoid.