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What is Aerobic Exercise?

Aerobic exercise is one of a number of different exercises that makes the heart and lungs work harder. Generally, one "works up a sweat" when doing aerobic activity but not always. By forcing the heart and lungs to work harder, these muscles are being strengthened in addition to the many other muscles that are being worked. Aerobic exercise increases the need for oxygen which in turn benefits many of the body's systems.

Aerobic exercise has been popular for decades as a way to lose weight and get in shape however it is increasingly looked upon as a way to improve or maintain one's health also. Because of the wide variety of exercises that are aerobic in nature, there is at least one kind for everyone.

You can do aerobic exercise with or without exercise equipment. In fact, this kind of exercise is so broad you can do it by yourself or with others. Something as simple as walking or jogging can be done alone or with a friend.

Bicycling is another area of aerobic exercise that offers many choices. You can of course, bicycle alone, with a friend or join a group. You also have the choice of using a stationary bike or the more traditional kind. Either way, you can vary your routine considerably as you adjust to hilly or flat ground or change the resistance on your stationary bike.

Remember the "bicycle" you ride without any equipment? This is a good one to use for your exercise routine, especially when you're doing other floor exercises. You lie flat on your back with your feet on the floor and your knees pointed toward the ceiling. Then just simulate the motion of riding a bicycle with your legs. Some people lift their hips, bracing the hips with their hands but you can do a variant of the bicycle exercise with your hips resting on the floor as well.

Stair climbing is another great aerobic exercise you can do without any equipment. There are stairs everywhere and while there are worthwhile stair climbers on the market, you can also use the good old fashioned kind. Even if you just get into the habit of taking the stairs instead of the elevator in buildings, you'll benefit.

Dancing is an aerobic exercise you can do without equipment. You can dance with or without a partner; in public or in private. Dance lessons are a great way to discover what kind of dancing you like if you are new to the dance floor. There are numerous dance forms: square dancing, belly dancing, tap dancing, ballroom dancing, ballet, jazz, disco and others.

There are countless videos demonstrating aerobic exercise and this is one of the most economical ways to get your aerobic workout. These videos are great when you need motivation or need direction on how to perform some of the exercises. While magazines and the Internet are loaded with exercise routines, the written word can sometimes be difficult to maneuver when you're on the floor. Often though, you can find videos on the Internet that show you exactly how to perform the exercises.

You may want to vary your aerobic exercise routine by doing exercises that don't use equipment as well as the ones that do. When you decide to use exercise equipment, you'll also want to decide whether to go to a gym or purchase equipment to use at home. While it may be easy to be tempted by the countless exercise equipment offers on television, try to resist the temptation unless you've already used the item being advertised.