Stepping Up To Good Health - The Benefits Of Aerobic Exercise

Over the last couple of decades much has been made of the importance of specific cardio and aerobic exercise as an integral part of a healthy lifestyle. There is little doubt that a regular exercise regimen improves our sleep patterns, reduces stress and helps us control our weight, all factors that make for better overall health. What is aerobic exercise though, and why is it so beneficial.

The definition of aerobic exercise is fairly simple. Any physical exercise brisk and prolonged enough to causes an increase in our respiratory and cardio rates is deemed to be aerobic exercise. Well, doesn't all exercise does that? Not necessarily, some exercises, no matter how strenuous, do not cause you to breathe harder the way true aerobic exercise does.

So I basically have to be blowing like a beached whale to have had any benefit from my exercise? Again, not necessarily. If you want to build stamina and loose weight yes, if you are, for instance, bodybuilding and are focusing on exercising a particular muscle group, no. The main benefit of cardio and aerobic exercise is the amount of calories burned and the "exercise" your lungs and heart get.

Our respiratory and cardio systems are machines that benefit from frequent use. The more they are used the more efficient they and their associated systems become. The more efficient they are the more the whole machine works as well. If our lung function is well developed our blood oxygen saturations are always good, particularly when we exercise and when we sleep. Our bodies system of gas transfer is also better equipped to clear carbon dioxide and other waste gasses from our bodies.

All of these points are very important in promoting good health and a brisk bit of lung exercise is always beneficial. As is the accelerated rate of metabolism that occurs when we exercise our hearts and lungs and is the primary function of aerobic exercise in weight loss. And while on the subject of weight loss, keep in mind that your body is a smart machine. You throw exercise its way and it will work like crazy to keep up and meet the unfamiliar demand. Very soon though it will compensate and become accustomed to the load and will not have to work as hard to keep up.

For this reason you have to apply a little smoke and mirrors and keep the machine guessing by constantly varying your exercise routine. Take a week off and return to a different schedule and volumes of aerobic exercise. This keeps your body working to improve and doesn't create plateau periods where your body gets too smart and can afford to loaf.

Ok, we've got, so which activities count as aerobic exercise? Basically if an activity uses large muscle groups repetitively for a sustained period (30 - 60 minutes) then it qualifies. The most popular aerobic exercise is running. Others that are popular are cycling, spinning, stepping, elliptical trainers, ski machines, swimming and dance. One of the most accessible, for lack of a better word, types of aerobic exercise is walking. The great thing about walking is that it generally allows family participation and is a great way to get out in the fresh air and sunshine. This has to be the most underestimated aerobic exercise and one that can deliver excellent results. Which ever aerobic exercise you choose can only enhance your quality of life at the end of the day.