It is often believed that aerobic exercises are good for burning off fat while weightlifting helps to build muscle bulk. This is partly correct since weight bearing exercises also burn fat while building muscle mass, even during resting.
Over the past ten years, there has been an increase of about 76 percent in the number of people lifting free weights. In fact, weight lifting now ranks among the most popular sports in North America.
Studies have shown that cardiovascular activity combined with weight training is highly effective in producing fat loss. Cardiovascular exercises increase muscle metabolism during the activity and this continues for a short period after the session. On the other hand, weight lifting exercises not only raise muscle metabolism during the activity session, but the effect lasts for a long time afterwards.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Simple Exercises
Here are some simple exercises you can do to lose weight and stay healthy:
1. Jogging
You can cover a great distance in a short period of time when jogging, so a great number of calories can be burnt for the time spent.
2. Walking
Walking is a popular exercise because it does not require any special equipment or facilities. 20 minutes of walking daily burns off about seven pounds of body fat a year. Long, moderately-paced daily walks are ideal for losing weight.
3. Rope Jumping
Rope Jumping is a good aerobic workout when performed at a slow to moderate pace continuously for about 15 minutes or more. It is an effective way to lose weight if performed on a regular basis.
4. Swimming
More energy is used to swim a certain distance compared to walking or running because of the resistance of water. So calories can be burnt more quickly.
1. Jogging
You can cover a great distance in a short period of time when jogging, so a great number of calories can be burnt for the time spent.
2. Walking
Walking is a popular exercise because it does not require any special equipment or facilities. 20 minutes of walking daily burns off about seven pounds of body fat a year. Long, moderately-paced daily walks are ideal for losing weight.
3. Rope Jumping
Rope Jumping is a good aerobic workout when performed at a slow to moderate pace continuously for about 15 minutes or more. It is an effective way to lose weight if performed on a regular basis.
4. Swimming
More energy is used to swim a certain distance compared to walking or running because of the resistance of water. So calories can be burnt more quickly.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Aerobic Videos
I have been using aerobic workout videos for about a year now, and let me tell you – if you have the right setup and the right attitude, they work every bit as well as an actual aerobics class. Although many people buy aerobic videos, and then leave them sitting there, gathering dust, and never do anything with them, many other use them to catapult themselves into a healthier, more successful life. What is the difference? Why do aerobic videos work for some people, but fail miserably for others? Allow me to explain.
You see, it is not properly about the aerobics videos at all, but about the person watching them. The first and most important thing is that you have the proper attitude towards exercise that will result in success. You need, from the beginning to set reasonable goals and a constant schedule of exercise that will help you succeed in all of your goals, and that is no easy task. That can not come from the aerobic videos – it has to come from you. The most important thing is that you exercise regularly. Doing each aerobic video twice every third Sunday won't cut it. Even if you never make it all the way through your aerobic videos at first, you have to be using them every day or you will not get the maximum results from them – you will barely get any results at all, truth be told. Set reasonable goals and stick with them. It is no good telling yourself that you will do a two hour workout with your aerobic videos every day, and then failing right away. Set little goals, ones you know that you can succeed at, to build confidence.
Equally important is to have a good space to do your aerobics workout. If you live in a cramped, one room apartment with clothing all over the floor, forget it. You can use some aerobic videos with less space than you might think, but if you don't at least clear a little room to move around in, you will never reach any of your exercise goals, and that is a crying shame. The beginning of your aerobic workout is really setting a time, clearing out a space, and psyching yourself up. Don't expect immediate success from using your aerobic videos. It will be hard work. But if you persevere, within a month you will notice major changes.
You see, it is not properly about the aerobics videos at all, but about the person watching them. The first and most important thing is that you have the proper attitude towards exercise that will result in success. You need, from the beginning to set reasonable goals and a constant schedule of exercise that will help you succeed in all of your goals, and that is no easy task. That can not come from the aerobic videos – it has to come from you. The most important thing is that you exercise regularly. Doing each aerobic video twice every third Sunday won't cut it. Even if you never make it all the way through your aerobic videos at first, you have to be using them every day or you will not get the maximum results from them – you will barely get any results at all, truth be told. Set reasonable goals and stick with them. It is no good telling yourself that you will do a two hour workout with your aerobic videos every day, and then failing right away. Set little goals, ones you know that you can succeed at, to build confidence.
Equally important is to have a good space to do your aerobics workout. If you live in a cramped, one room apartment with clothing all over the floor, forget it. You can use some aerobic videos with less space than you might think, but if you don't at least clear a little room to move around in, you will never reach any of your exercise goals, and that is a crying shame. The beginning of your aerobic workout is really setting a time, clearing out a space, and psyching yourself up. Don't expect immediate success from using your aerobic videos. It will be hard work. But if you persevere, within a month you will notice major changes.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Aerobics DVD
Even though I bought my first aerobics DVD more than three years ago, I have not really used it a lot. I don't remember what it was called – I have since misplaced it somewhere in the back recesses of my home, and have not seen it in months, but I do remember some things about it. It was bright pink, and had some grinning guy in spandex and big hair on the cover, telling you to get thin. I thought that the aerobic DVD would motivate me to get my rear in shape, but it was not to be. Instead, my brand new aerobic DVD just decided to sit in the corner, gathering dust while I sat on the couch, growing fatter and less in shape.
My second workout video was a step aerobics DVD, but it fared no better. I think I did try that particular aerobic DVD a couple of times, but to no avail. I just felt so silly sitting there at home, undulating along with a class on film who were not even in the room with me, pretending that I was doing something that was not completely ridiculous. I just could not make it a part of my routine. I had originally planned to start each day with the aerobic DVD and a shower, but when I would get out of bed in the morning, it was the last thing that I wanted to do.
I have had three of four aerobic DVDs since then and, to be honest with you, none of them have done the trick at all. It simply is not fun to do aerobics by yourself in the living room, watching your aerobic DVD on the television. Nothing really happened to get me in shape from watching the aerobic DVD. Finally, I had to do what I had been dreading all along; I had to join a gym. Once I began to get my exercise from aerobics classes and not an aerobic DVD, it suddenly became so much easier to stick with the program. The classes got me out of my house, and the people in them were so encouraging, that I just could not help myself. Almost immediately, I was hooked on taking exercise classes to get in shape. It was like you could not get me away from them. Meanwhile, every aerobic DVD I have ever owned quietly gathers dust in the house of a newer, fitter me.
My second workout video was a step aerobics DVD, but it fared no better. I think I did try that particular aerobic DVD a couple of times, but to no avail. I just felt so silly sitting there at home, undulating along with a class on film who were not even in the room with me, pretending that I was doing something that was not completely ridiculous. I just could not make it a part of my routine. I had originally planned to start each day with the aerobic DVD and a shower, but when I would get out of bed in the morning, it was the last thing that I wanted to do.
I have had three of four aerobic DVDs since then and, to be honest with you, none of them have done the trick at all. It simply is not fun to do aerobics by yourself in the living room, watching your aerobic DVD on the television. Nothing really happened to get me in shape from watching the aerobic DVD. Finally, I had to do what I had been dreading all along; I had to join a gym. Once I began to get my exercise from aerobics classes and not an aerobic DVD, it suddenly became so much easier to stick with the program. The classes got me out of my house, and the people in them were so encouraging, that I just could not help myself. Almost immediately, I was hooked on taking exercise classes to get in shape. It was like you could not get me away from them. Meanwhile, every aerobic DVD I have ever owned quietly gathers dust in the house of a newer, fitter me.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Losing Weight With Aerobic Activity
Exercise is necessary if you want to lose weight. Cutting calories alone will not get the job done, no matter what someone tries to tell you. You have to rethink how you live each and every day and often, you need to overhaul your life. There are lots of ways to get more motion into your day, but one of the best is by increasing your aerobic activity. Aerobics raise your heart rate enough to get those extra pounds to start coming off.
You have to be careful with aerobic activity if you have any serious medical conditions. If you have any doubts, see your doctor before you being any aerobic activity program for weight loss. They may tell you what you should and should not do, and they may say that you should limit all aerobic activity. Even if you are healthy for the most part, you may still want to see your doctor and get a check up before you begin any program containing aerobic activity you are not used to.
The key to effective aerobic activity is to make sure you are doing it the right way. If you aren't getting your heart rate elevated, you really aren't getting the benefits you are seeking. Along the same lines, you have to get your heart rate elevated, and it must remain there for a certain amount of time. This helps your body effectively burn off calories and build muscle. This will be hard for you to do at first, but as your body gets used to the aerobic activity, it will become easier and you will be able to add time to your workout.
Aerobic activities are all around you, and you don't really need a gym to find them. You can jog around your neighborhood, or you can run in the backyard with your kids. You can go for long bike rides or you can dance with your children to their favorite songs. You don't have to sweat at home if you don't want to, though. You can find programs that feature aerobic activity at your local gym. The most common kind that come to mind are dance aerobic programs, but don't forget that cycling and rowing are also aerobic in nature. You may also try step class, or something as simple as running or swimming. Aerobic activity can help you if you simple do it. Make a commitment to yourself, and get moving.
You have to be careful with aerobic activity if you have any serious medical conditions. If you have any doubts, see your doctor before you being any aerobic activity program for weight loss. They may tell you what you should and should not do, and they may say that you should limit all aerobic activity. Even if you are healthy for the most part, you may still want to see your doctor and get a check up before you begin any program containing aerobic activity you are not used to.
The key to effective aerobic activity is to make sure you are doing it the right way. If you aren't getting your heart rate elevated, you really aren't getting the benefits you are seeking. Along the same lines, you have to get your heart rate elevated, and it must remain there for a certain amount of time. This helps your body effectively burn off calories and build muscle. This will be hard for you to do at first, but as your body gets used to the aerobic activity, it will become easier and you will be able to add time to your workout.
Aerobic activities are all around you, and you don't really need a gym to find them. You can jog around your neighborhood, or you can run in the backyard with your kids. You can go for long bike rides or you can dance with your children to their favorite songs. You don't have to sweat at home if you don't want to, though. You can find programs that feature aerobic activity at your local gym. The most common kind that come to mind are dance aerobic programs, but don't forget that cycling and rowing are also aerobic in nature. You may also try step class, or something as simple as running or swimming. Aerobic activity can help you if you simple do it. Make a commitment to yourself, and get moving.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Aerobic Workouts
There is a whole industry surrounding fitness with TV programs, DVDs and books on the subject. The 1970s brought a fitness trend, especially in the form of aerobic workouts. We were all caught up in the movement to look good and feel good. My attempts to get fit tend to go thru phases, including do nothing phases. I tried aerobic workouts for a while, inspired by the Jane Fonda workout. I bought the stripy socks, the leotard and the headband. That was the easy part. The exercises certainly take it out of you.
The rush to join a gym was like lambs to the slaughter. It looks so easy when celebrities do aerobic workouts, and they all seem to have some sort of fitness DVD on the market. Everyone gets in on the act, models, actresses and winners of reality TV shows all don the gear and talk knowingly about cardiovascular this and cardiovascular that. They all look great, with perfect bodies, teeth, hair and skin. You want to be like them, and aerobic workouts seem to be the answer to our prayers. We buy the gear and we load the DVD, the music is pumping and so are we.
The trouble with me is I don't have the self discipline to stick with something long term and see the effects. I get bored after a few weeks and I try something else. I went from aerobic workouts to kick boxing to yoga, back to aerobics, to jogging, weight training and to Tai Chi. My body is confused. It doesn't know which muscles are going to be challenged next.
Going to a gym is a depressing experience. No one else there looks as if they need to go. They perform on the running machines so effortlessly. They prop up their magazines on the machines, whilst they do their aerobic workouts and never break into a sweat. They don't make middle aged, overweight people very welcome. I never feel like I belong there, so I'd much rather jump on my exercise bike at home where I don't have an audience.
Cycling and swimming are supposed to be good for the heart and you don't need an exclusive gym membership. I really should pick an activity and stick to it. Celebrities of course, have a fitness trainer. I think that's what I need, someone to push me to my limits. I need a hard taskmaster, to make me do my aerobic workouts regularly and tell me I look good in lycra, even if I don't.
The rush to join a gym was like lambs to the slaughter. It looks so easy when celebrities do aerobic workouts, and they all seem to have some sort of fitness DVD on the market. Everyone gets in on the act, models, actresses and winners of reality TV shows all don the gear and talk knowingly about cardiovascular this and cardiovascular that. They all look great, with perfect bodies, teeth, hair and skin. You want to be like them, and aerobic workouts seem to be the answer to our prayers. We buy the gear and we load the DVD, the music is pumping and so are we.
The trouble with me is I don't have the self discipline to stick with something long term and see the effects. I get bored after a few weeks and I try something else. I went from aerobic workouts to kick boxing to yoga, back to aerobics, to jogging, weight training and to Tai Chi. My body is confused. It doesn't know which muscles are going to be challenged next.
Going to a gym is a depressing experience. No one else there looks as if they need to go. They perform on the running machines so effortlessly. They prop up their magazines on the machines, whilst they do their aerobic workouts and never break into a sweat. They don't make middle aged, overweight people very welcome. I never feel like I belong there, so I'd much rather jump on my exercise bike at home where I don't have an audience.
Cycling and swimming are supposed to be good for the heart and you don't need an exclusive gym membership. I really should pick an activity and stick to it. Celebrities of course, have a fitness trainer. I think that's what I need, someone to push me to my limits. I need a hard taskmaster, to make me do my aerobic workouts regularly and tell me I look good in lycra, even if I don't.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Aerobic Clothing
When you are startng a workout program, a way to get yourself motivated is to buy yourself some nice aerobic clothing. This motivational tool is quite useful for people who want to get started on their exercise program in style. There is more to consider than just looks when it comes to aerobic clothing so making a rash decision may lead to your tossing the outfits on your exercise machines to collect dust.
It is important to remember that your aerobic clothing is an integral part of your workout. You may not believe this at first but bear with me. Wearing an outfit that is inappropriate for the routine will make you very uncomfortable. You will be less likely to return to the gym or even your basement if the exercise routine and your aerobic clothing are uncomfortable.
We tend to avoid unpleasant situations. If you engage in an exercise routine that is demanding and your aerobic clothing is getting in the way, you will be less likely to repeat the routine. Your choice to forgo the workout is not necessarily due to the workout itself. You aerobic clothing was uncomfortable and it interfered with your enjoyment of the exercise.
Remember to keep it loose. Tight fitting aerobic clothing may limit your mobility and some can even restrict blood flow. There is no point in working out if you do not have a full range of motion available to you. You also want to stay well ventilated and you definitely want the blood flowing naturally.
We all know that black is slimming but black is a no-no during summer workouts. Choose aerobic clothing that is light in color. This reflects the sun away from you. Black absorbs the sun (and the heat). If you are too hot and sweaty you may become lightheaded and tire out way too quickly to reap the full benefits of your routine.
You are supposed to sweat but you don want to start sweating before you have even stretched your muscles. Getting overheated is a big danger when engaging in physically demanding activities. Wearing light aerobic clothing will help you stay cool and energized during your routine.
People who live in cooler regions benefit from layering their aerobic clothing. Keep lighter materials close to the skin and put fleece and other heavier items over that. You can always peel a layer or two off if you feel overheated.
It is important to remember that your aerobic clothing is an integral part of your workout. You may not believe this at first but bear with me. Wearing an outfit that is inappropriate for the routine will make you very uncomfortable. You will be less likely to return to the gym or even your basement if the exercise routine and your aerobic clothing are uncomfortable.
We tend to avoid unpleasant situations. If you engage in an exercise routine that is demanding and your aerobic clothing is getting in the way, you will be less likely to repeat the routine. Your choice to forgo the workout is not necessarily due to the workout itself. You aerobic clothing was uncomfortable and it interfered with your enjoyment of the exercise.
Remember to keep it loose. Tight fitting aerobic clothing may limit your mobility and some can even restrict blood flow. There is no point in working out if you do not have a full range of motion available to you. You also want to stay well ventilated and you definitely want the blood flowing naturally.
We all know that black is slimming but black is a no-no during summer workouts. Choose aerobic clothing that is light in color. This reflects the sun away from you. Black absorbs the sun (and the heat). If you are too hot and sweaty you may become lightheaded and tire out way too quickly to reap the full benefits of your routine.
You are supposed to sweat but you don want to start sweating before you have even stretched your muscles. Getting overheated is a big danger when engaging in physically demanding activities. Wearing light aerobic clothing will help you stay cool and energized during your routine.
People who live in cooler regions benefit from layering their aerobic clothing. Keep lighter materials close to the skin and put fleece and other heavier items over that. You can always peel a layer or two off if you feel overheated.
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