What Is The Best Aerobic Exercise?
Though some experts say that any activity is good activity, it might help if they would narrow it down a little. Aerobic exercise in all forms is good for your body, but is there one that stands above the rest? You might get different answers for this question, but in the end, it’s a decision you have to make. Perhaps you need to start by asking yourself a few more questions.
What Do You Like?
Let’s be honest: you’re not going to exercise unless you enjoy what you’re doing. If you don’t like to run, chances are good that you probably won’t be running on a regular basis. In order to encourage more activity in your life, you need to choose an aerobic activity you like to do. Start out by listing all of the activities that you like to do – sports, dance, etc. This will give you a better idea of what kinds of exercise are suitable for you and what kinds you might actually stick with. Even if these activities aren’t aerobic, they might give you alternative methods of exercise that you can do on the days you’re not doing aerobics.
What Is Convenient?
Of course, if exercise isn’t convenient, you’re probably not going to do it either. If you have planned that you are going to go swimming after work, but you need to grab your things after heading home after a long day, chances are good that you won’t actually make it to the swimming pool that often. You need to find an exercise that doesn’t take a long time to prepare for as well as being located in a setting that is easy to get to. Try looking at local gyms or the workout center at your workplace for ideas for aerobic exercise. Or you might want to check to see what kinds of exercise your friends are doing and make it a fun way to meet up on a regular basis.
Why Walking Suits More People
Though some might dispute this, it’s a fair thing to day that walking is the best aerobic exercise for most people. You can walk anywhere, you don’t need any special skills, and it will certainly get your heart pumping. In addition, it’s low impact and doesn’t require special equipment beyond a decent pair of athletic shoes. If you can’t walk outside, you can use a treadmill, so there’s no need to forfeit your workout plans if it’s raining or cold. You can walk at local parks for variety or you can walk around the hallways of your office at lunch if that’s the only time you have.
Studies have shown that walking is still good for you, even if you do small bursts of walking each day. By squeezing in three ten minute walking workouts, you will still reap the same benefits as one full half hour. Add in another ten minute workout each day and you’re adding an even higher caloric burn.
While walking isn’t running, it can still burn just as many calories too, helping to increase your metabolism and weight loss. You will still be building your muscles and helping your body grow stronger with each step. All ages can take up walking and you might even notice that your old aches and pains disappear as you add more walking to your life.
Changing Up Your Routine
Of course, for some people, walking seems like a dull way to exercise. If you’re in a safe neighborhood, however, you can wear headphones and bring your mp3 player with you to liven things up. By playing faster music, you will be able to increase the rate of your workout and stay motivated. You might also want to try adding a few sprints of faster walking or jogging to further increase your caloric burn. This will also help you improve your fitness level more rapidly, while also keeping the workouts from getting monotonous.
Keep changing the walking paths that you take as well to keep things interesting. You might want to find a local grocery store that you can walk to and do some shopping there as a part of your workout routine – athletic and efficient.
The best aerobic workout is the one you will do on most days of the week at a rate that’s challenging for both your heart and lungs. What suits you?
Related Information:
The Benefits of Aerobic Activity
The Difference Between Aerobic And Anaerobic Exercise
