Aerobic Exercise: How to Get Started
If you’ve ever started a new exercise routine, you know how difficult it can be to continue with it day after day. It’s easy to get bored and lose motivation when doing the same workout over and over again.
The good news is that there are many different types of workouts that can help you stay motivated and see results.
Aerobic exercise is one of the most beneficial options for your body and mind.
In this blog post, we will
go over everything you need to know about aerobic exercise, from what it does
for your body to some helpful tips on getting started. Understanding why and
how to do aerobic exercise will not only help get you started but keep you
going for the long-term. So let’s begin!
What Is Aerobic Exercise?
Aerobic exercise is any exercise that increases your heart and respiration rate. This increases your body’s need for oxygen, which is delivered via your blood. As a result, aerobic exercises are great for your heart and lungs, along with your muscles and joints.
There are many different types of aerobic exercises, but they can generally be categorized into five types:
- walking,
- running,
- swimming,
- cycling,
- and rowing.
Let’s look at what each of these entails so you can decide which one is right for you.
Walking - Walking is one of the easiest aerobic exercises you can do. It can be done anywhere and almost any age can do it. Walking is great for beginners or for people who have a hard time keeping up with more intense exercises like running.
Running - Running is another easy aerobic exercise that is great for burning calories and building up your leg muscles. The downside of running is that it puts a lot of pressure on your joints, which can lead to injury over time.
Swimming - Swimming is a low-impact aerobic exercise that is great for beginners. The water supports your body, so it’s easier on the joints than many other aerobic exercises. The only downside is that it may not be as effective for weight loss as other aerobic exercises.
Cycling - Cycling is a great aerobic exercise for people who want a low-impact workout but have knee or joint pain. For example, recumbent bicycles are designed to put less pressure on your joints. That being said, cycling may not be as effective for weight loss as running or walking.
Rowing - Rowing is an excellent aerobic
exercise that targets your entire body. It’s a full body workout that is great
for weight loss and toning. The only downside is that it may be difficult for
beginners to do.
The Benefits of Aerobic Exercise
As we’ve seen, aerobic exercise is great for your heart and lungs, and also helps with weight loss and toning your muscles.
There are many other benefits of aerobic exercise that go beyond what you see on the surface. Let’s take a look at some of them now.
Improves your mood-
Aerobic exercise has been shown to improve your mood by releasing neurotransmitters that make you feel happier. The more you work out, the better you’ll feel.
Helps manage your weight-
As we’ve mentioned before, aerobic exercise is great for weight loss. It also helps manage your weight because it can improve your eating habits and make you less hungry.
Promotes positive physiological changes-
The more often you do aerobic exercise, the more changes you’ll see. It can help to lower your blood pressure and cholesterol level, help you manage diabetes, and increase your metabolism.
Promotes a healthy heart-
As we’ve discussed, aerobic exercise is great for your heart. It can help prevent heart disease and reduce your risk of stroke.
Helps manage your chronic condition-
Many people with chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure find that aerobic exercise helps them manage their condition and feel better.
Helps you stay active and mobile-
As you get older, you may find that you become less active. Aerobic exercise can help you stay active, which can reduce your risk of falling and feeling isolated due to your condition.
Can help prevent premature death-
Many people who do aerobic
exercise report feeling like it saved their life. If you have a chronic
condition, it can help you live longer.
How to Get Started With Aerobic Exercise
The first step towards getting started with aerobic exercise is identifying your goals.
What do you want to get out of doing aerobic exercise? Once you know this, you can choose a type of aerobic exercise that will meet those goals. It’s also important to plan your exercise routine. You should work out 3-4 times a week for 30-40 minutes each time.
This helps you stay consistent and experience long-term results. Plus, it’s easier to stick to an exercise routine if you set aside a specific time for it each week. To get started with aerobic exercise, you can try one of the following:
Join a class - this can be a great way to meet people and get results.
Find a workout buddy - a workout buddy can help you stay consistent.
Exercise on
your own - while this may be more difficult, it can be done anywhere.
Tips for Maintaining Your Motivation
If you’ve read this far, you’re probably already motivated to get started with aerobic exercise. That’s great! However, it can be hard to stay motivated once you start a new exercise plan. Here are a few things you can do to stay motivated and see results.
Find an exercise you love -
the more you enjoy the exercise, the more likely you are to stick with it.
Set attainable goals -
set specific goals for how long you want to exercise and how many times per week.
Get a good pair of shoes -
this can help prevent injury and make the exercise more comfortable.
Join an online support group -
you can find one online or through your university.
Get enough sleep and eat well -
this can help your body recover from exercise and make you feel better.
Don’t compare yourself to others -
everyone progresses at a different pace. Do what’s best for you.
Remember why you started -
remember why you decided to start exercising in the first place. Getting
started and staying motivated is the hardest part. Once you’re in the swing of
things, it becomes easier and more enjoyable.
Conclusion
Aerobic exercise is a great way to improve
your health. It is a great way to improve your heart and respiration rates,
which in turn helps with weight loss and toning muscles. There are many
benefits of aerobic exercise that go beyond what you see on the surface. If you
want to improve your health, it is important to start doing aerobic exercise on
a regular basis.