Aerobic for Weight Loss

By: Jon Arnold

Everyone knows how important working out is. However, not everyone knows the proper way to exercise and maximize the benefits of aerobics and a good aerobics workout. With a few simple steps, you can easily make the most of your aerobic workout.

One of the first steps in maximizing the benefits of aerobics is to understand why you need to work out. Probably the first thing that comes to mind is weight control. However, working out not only helps you lose weight, it is also good for your overall health.

Aerobics has a tendency to relax your muscles; therefore, relieving you of stress. Research has also shown that regularly exercising increases the production of endorphins. A good cardio workout can strengthen your heart, while reducing your risks of developing diabetes.

Now that you know some of the benefits of aerobics, it is important to know how to properly workout. Start by working out at the same time each day, totaling at least 2 hours a week. Setting a routine will help make your aerobic workout more of a habit than a chore. The more you work out, the easier it will be to actually work out.

In order to create total body fitness, you will need to incorporate both aerobics and strength training. In order to burn more calories, you need to build up your muscles. It takes less energy to move fat.

When first starting out, try to get in three workouts a week. Start with a short warm up, generally lasting 5-10 minutes. Follow the warm up with a strength training routine. Then, go into some more light aerobics for approximately 20 minutes. It is important to be careful to not overdo it when you start, since your motivation levels will be low if you strain muscles in your first workouts. It is equally important to realize that you are not going to see results immediately -- give it time! It took time to put those extra pounds on, and it will take take to get them off.
As you become more accustomed to working out, you can interchange your workout. One day do strength training and one day do aerobics. Keep in mind to not over do it. If you feel you need to take a day off or lessen the workout, be sure to do so.

You will want to increase your intensity slowly to avoid exhaustion. By starting slow and working your way up, you will also avoid extreme soreness and improve your fitness and health.

As a rule of thumb, you will want to do each set of strength training 8-12 times. Once you have mastered the particular exercise, try increasing the weight. Challenging yourself will not only improve the benefits of aerobics, but it will also keep you from getting bored. This also allows your muscles to build by requiring more of them, instead of doing something they can do easily.

Another technique is to find a workout partner. Having someone to workout with will keep you moving. A workout buddy will increase your motivation and make you more accountable for your workouts.

Step Aerobics For Your Health

By: Al Villa
One of the more popular aerobic exercises is step aerobics. Most of the time step aerobics is conducted as a class in a gym. This can really be fun and you can make a lot of good friends. But with the number of videos that have hit the market many people do step aerobics at home. There are also the many TV programs that conduct daily exercise classes. Most of the TV exercise classes conduct a variety of aerobics so if you are into step aerobics only this may not be for you.

Step aerobics is done on a platform where you step up and down usually to the beat of music. It is recommended that you not exceed 128 BPM as this can cause injury. Sometimes this can cause people to want to go faster to get a better workout. Well you can actually get a better workout by staying below the 128 BPM and modifying your routines. The platforms are usually from 6 to 10 inches. For a better workout if you are in good physical condition choose the higher platform. You can stay below 128 BPM and achieve the same step aerobic workout.

But before you even get started doing your step aerobic routines, it is a good practice to warm up for about 10 minutes doing stretching exercise and maybe some light jogging.

Another thing that is very important is the Choreography. Increasing power and force can add significantly to the intensity of your routine and cardiovascular benefits. Raising you upper limbs and bringing your knees up higher is also helpful. This way you can get that good workout that you want and still stay below 128 BPM.

Sometimes we get very enthusiastic and want to to do step aerobics everyday. This is not a good idea. Most experts suggest that you limit step aerobics to no more than 4 days a week. But you are encouraged to participate in cross training activities with equipment you find in a gym or bicycling. The idea is that you need to be cognizant of possible injury doing step aerobics, especially if you increase the tempo beyond 128 BPM.