The gist is that any activity that's rhythmic in nature, that uses your large muscle groups and allows you to sustain continuously for a period of time (usually 20-30 minutes per session) and that increases your need for oxygen, is an aerobic exercise.
So the many examples I mention above fit this description and hence are examples of aerobic exercises.
P/S: Aerobic exercise is also known as cardiovascular exercise or in short, cardio exercise.
Knowing the aerobic exercise examples is one thing but the more important thing is - you should choose one or two that you love and have interest to do.
Why?
Because if you do, you would look forward to doing the exercise and enjoy the benefits and would stay long in it, to see results.
There's no point engaging in one you've no love or interest in; you would dread it and won't last long in it, hence not able to achieve your goals, either to lose weight or to maintain good health.
OK. We've settled on the most important thing.
We now zoom in to look at benefits of aerobic exercise:
1. Works on your heart and lungs by revving up your heart rate and increasing your lung capacity. Your heart becomes stronger and can pump blood more efficiently with less effort. Your lungs' capacity increases, hence you can take in more oxygen
2. Reduces your blood pressure
3. Decreases your total cholesterol
4. Improves your glucose tolerence and reduces insulin resistance
5. Relieves your stress, tension, anxiety and depression
6. Increases your blood supply to muscles hence oxygenate them
7. Cranks up your metabolism to burn off excess body fat, so you lose weight
Apart from choosing one or two aerobic exercise(s) you love and like to do, what else you got to look out for, to enjoy and stayput in the program?
Try these:
a. Get a like-minded exercise partner so that he or she provides the necessary "nudge" to inspire you when you don't feel like doing the exercise
b. Vary your aerobic routine so you won't feel bored. That means you could run on Mondays and Fridays, go for a walk on Wednesdays and Sundays and so on..... Don't be rigid in your routine. The more varied the better
c. Choose a time that's your best - if you're a morning person, exercise then in the morning; if you prefer late afternoon or early evening schedule, go for it by all means. There's no hard and fast rule about when you should exercise
d. Put on music to make your exercise "tuneful" and enjoyable. This way, you also pass fast your exercise time
Cecelia Yap is an avid exerciser and author of the popular exercise website: perfect-body-toning.com - a web site born out of her passion which she successfully turns into a profitable business. Perhaps you have a passion or hobby you'd like to write about. Find out how you too can turn it into a profitable business like Cecelia does, here: www.perfect-body-toning.com/my-passion.html
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