Tag Archives: aerobic

Which Comes First?

Do you include both weightlifting and aerobic exercise in the same workout? If so, which do you tackle first? If you workout at a smaller gym (like I do) then your answer might vary depending on the day. Smaller gyms typically mean less equipment, so if you enter the gym hoping to get your run in on the treadmill before heading to the weights, but all of the treadmills, stationary bikes and elliptical machines are in use, then you might be forced to switch up your schedule and lift first. On other days the opposite might be true. You might … Continue reading →

So You Want to Burn Fat?

For the past few days I’ve been detailing exercises that burn serious calories. After all, if you are going to drag yourself out of bed at the crack of dawn to workout you might as well get the most from your efforts. The vast majority of us exercise to lose weight, which is done by burning calories, but what about the unwanted fat we want to shed? To answer that question we must differentiate between “aerobic” activity and “anaerobic” activity. “Aerobic” means “with oxygen.” When you are partaking in low-intensity exercises your breathing rate and oxygen use can keep up … Continue reading →

Body for Life Day #9 Training: Aerobic

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By now you should be used to the Body-for-Life 20-minute aerobic solution. For three days every week you get to put in a great aerobic workout in less than half an hour. This takes up very little of your day and you can have your workout completed, along with a shower and change, in no time at all. Last week we tried walking, running in place, and stair climbing. These are all workouts we can do indoors and at home. The best part about taking the Body-for-Life Challenge is the fact that you can do every workout in the comfort … Continue reading →

Body for Life Day #6 Training: Aerobic

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Today’s training is another 20-minute aerobic workout. Remember that when doing these workouts you really need to use the intensity scale. Doing 20 minutes of lackadaisical exercise without putting your mind, or body, to it will not pay off. Isn’t it worth 20 minutes, three times a week for the fit and healthy body you’ve always wanted? Too many people who are trying to lose weight depend solely upon aerobic exercise. We see them at the gym every day. They work like crazy and sweat like an air conditioner in Florida in the middle of July. But they never manage … Continue reading →

J is for Jump Rope

The jump rope is a great piece of fitness equipment. First and foremost, the jump rope is inexpensive and you can pick one up at a Target or Wal-Mart for under $10. Jumping rope is something you can do with your kids and it’s a great way to get a power workout in fifteen minutes or a less. Try jumping rope 10 minutes a day and you’ll notice a profound change in your overall fitness. Jumping rope gets your heart rate up faster than just about any other cardiovascular workout outside of running. Many athletes use the jump rope in … Continue reading →

Runners & Cyclists Need Weight Training, Too

Are you a runner or a cyclist? A lot of athletes who run regularly or cycle regularly whether they are in training or not sometimes resist the idea of weight training because they get plenty of exercise when they are riding their bikes or running daily. In fact, I know one runner who regularly participates in marathons and she didn’t like the idea of weight training, until a personal trainer proved to her that weight training actually improved her endurance and running. Weight Training Adds Muscle Tissue Most cardiovascular activities, including running and cycling, are great for building heart and … Continue reading →

Aerobic versus Anaerobic

You may have heard these terms used interchangeably when it comes to exercise. So what is the difference between aerobic exercise and anaerobic exercise? A one word answer to that question is oxygen. Let’s explore what is meant by aerobic and anaerobic. Aerobic Aerobic exercise is defined as exercise that requires and allows the use of oxygen to replenish energy stores. Your body is working aerobically if you are lungs and heart are working overtime to restore you. If it gets your heart pumping (stationary bikes, stair climbers, treadmills, etc) then it is aerobic exercise. Anaerobic So if aerobic exercises … Continue reading →

Just Add Water

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On Monday, our local swimming pool opened. My daughter was thrilled by the idea and couldn’t wait to go swimming for the first time. So I trotted out my four-year-old plain, black swimsuit and dressed her in the new suit we picked up for her because she’d grown. When we got up to the pool, she had a really good time and I had a great conversation with another mom. The topic was dreading the idea of going swimsuit shopping. Her suit was even older than mine. We compared notes on all the reasons why we don’t like to do … Continue reading →