Aerobic activity is any activity that requires oxygen to produce the necessary ATP (adenosine triphosphate) to carry out the activity. Aerobic activity acquires ATP through the Kreb’s Cycle. One time through the Kreb’s cycle produces 36 ATP’s compared to just 2 ATP through glycolysis or anaerobic cycle. Aerobic activity is essential for your cardiovascular health.

Aerobic activity achieves the following:

1. Raises your VO2 max (your maximal oxygen uptake). It does this by increasing the amount of oxygen your body is able to use during normal aerobic activities. If you’re out of shape and run a mile, you might run it in ten minutes or so, but if you have a regular aerobic routine (which could consist of jogging, walking, running, biking, or any cardiovascular activity), you can speed up running the mile by minutes because you’ll be breathing more efficiently.

2.Increases your red blood cells’ oxygen-carrying capacity. This is done by increasing the number of red blood cells. Red blood cells are needed in your body to carry oxygen in their hemoglobin. The more red blood cells you have, the faster oxygen is transported throughout your body.

3. Decreases your resting heart rate (RHR). Aerobic activity does this by increasing the muscle strength of your heart and by actually increasing the size of your heart. Lance Armstrong, Michael Phelps, and any other athlete that is in aerobic sports have huge hearts that pump a great amount of blood in no time. The heart is like every other muscle in your body: it responds to training by increasing in size and strength. Performing aerobic activities regularly can decrease your heart rate by up to 20 beats per minute; a normal heart rate ranges between 60-80 beats per minute. A reduction in beats per minute saves the heart from beating about ten million beats per year.

4.Increases the number of mitochondria. This needs to increase because it is the site for aerobic energy production. So as the number increase it gives the cells in your body potential to produce more energy for muscular work.

5.Increases the number of capillaries. Capillaries in your body are a place for exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between blood and cells. The larger the blood vessels dilate, the more exchange of gases can take place. This increases the rate at which oxygen is delivered to the heart.

6.Lowers blood lipids and blood pressure. Regular aerobic activity leads to lower blood pressure which reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks. It also reduces levels of fats and cholesterol in arteries. Fats and cholesterol are the culprits that clog arteries, leading to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and coronary heart disease.

7. Faster recovery time and an increase in fat-burning enzymes. By training regularly, you help your body in recovering faster and staying healthier. You will be less likely to get sick and be healthier and feel good every day. You also increase fat-burning enzymes. By increasing lean muscle mass, that you get from doing aerobic activity, your body burns fat because you increase the number of enzymes so you burn more fat.

Aerobic activity is easy to do just about anywhere, running, jogging, biking, and walking are not your only options. You can increase your activity by just changing little lifestyle habits. You can park farther out in the parking lot, take the stairs instead of the elevator, or even bike to work if close enough. Doing yard work can also be considered aerobic activity, like mowing, raking, or just any household chore you do for a while. As you can see, there are many benefits for changing your lifestyle; you’ll live longer and feel better each and every day.

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Water aerobics, also knows as aqua aerobics is a safe and effective way to stay in shape. This form of fitness training is great for nearly everyone. Water Aerobics appeals to a wide range of people and regardless of your fitness there is a water exercise class or routine that fits your needs.

It is recommended to do water aerobics for many reasons. Water exercises can help you to lose weight, prevent weight gain, build lean muscle, lower blood sugar levels, and lower blood pressure and reduce stress.

The typical water aerobics class runs from 45 minutes to an hour in chest deep water. In each class, there is a warm up period where you stretch and loosen up your muscles. The bulk of the class is spent on performing various movements or dances that work the arms, legs and core. The class ends with a cool down period. In this time, you can really burn some calories. It is estimated that the typical session burns between 450-700 calories.

For those that are just starting an exercise program, water aerobics are a perfect start. Doing the exercises in the water strengthens every major muscle group as well as improving your cardiovascular health.

Even the athlete benefits from water exercises. In the water, your lungs and heart work harder then they do standing on the ground. The resistance of the water also complements the other training that a top athlete performs.

Aqua aerobics is great for those who are overweight. Exercises in the water are easier on the joints as the body is more buoyant. This puts less stress on the joints and greatly reduces the chance of injury. For the overweight person trying to get into shape, the cardiovascular aerobic activity is both great for burning fat, but also for strengthening the lungs and heart. The resistance of the water is effective for gaining lean muscle and burning fat too.

Water aerobics are also very popular for those who are rehabbing from surgery or an injury. In fact, many top athletes rehab in the water doing water jogging which gets the muscles in shape with out the stress of heavy contact on the ground. In the water, you can safely get the whole body in shape and also concentrate exercises on the injured part of the body to help speed up recovery.

Senior citizens and those with brittle bones also love aqua aerobics. The exercises in the water greatly reduce the likelihood of injury and also effective at reducing the damages of osteoporosis. Seniors also love that aqua aerobics classes are a group activity and this is a great way to spend some time with friends or to meet some new ones.

Regardless of your fitness level, age and needs there is some kind of water exercise that is right for you. Don’t you think that it is time that you found a water aerobics class at a pool near you?