The Right Aerobic Exercise

Remember that word, “balance?”  Oftentimes, those who enter (or re-enter) the fitness world will add some kind of aerobic activity and nothing else . . . thinking that all they have to do is “burn more calories.”  As we have learned in the previous articles, we need to include the right nutrition, the right resistance training and the right aerobic exercise in order to keep our fitness world in balance.

No, there is not one “perfect” form of aerobic exercise.  The best activity is the one that you will enjoy and continue to do on a regular basis.  A simple definition of aerobic exercise is any activity that improves your cardiovascular and respiratory functioning.  Outdoor examples are running, biking, skating, and walking.  Classes are available such as kickboxing, Jazzercise, ballroom dancing and step aerobics.  You also have the option of utilizing machines in a gym setting such as a treadmill, stationary bike, Arc Trainer or elliptical trainer.  Or you can play a game of basketball or soccer or tennis.  The key is to keep moving.  Aerobic exercise is an important part of your well-being balance equation because it does improve your cardiovascular and respiratory fitness.  It also helps to burn calories as you perform the activity and keeps your furnaces burning for a short time after you stop.  Aerobic exercise, however, does not increase your metabolism long term.  Only by increasing and maintaining your lean muscle mass will you keep your fires hot for the long haul.  The mistake that some people make in the fitness balance is to include too much aerobic exercise, thinking that they need to burn as many calories as possible.  Unfortunately, if you upset the balance in this way, your body (which wants to survive, remember!) will begin to utilize an energy source which is counterproductive to your goals.  Your body will begin to convert its own muscle mass to energy . . . in other words, it begins to eat itself.   This is especially true if you combine a calorie restrictive diet with excessive aerobic exercise.  Remember that maintaining your muscle mass is critical to keeping your metabolism as high as possible.  The last thing you want your body to do is work against you and begin to reduce your gains in the weight room.  So, we are back to the word balance.  Moderate aerobic exercise is absolutely essential to your overall fitness . . . but keep “moderation” uppermost in your mind.

Balance is the key.  Incorporating all three elements of nutrition, weight training, and aerobic exercise will enable you to relax and enjoy the ride to the best shape of your life!