Aerobics

Aerobics Exercise

Regardless of age, weight or athletic ability, aerobic exercise is good for you. See why — then prepare yourself to get moving.

How your body responds to aerobic exercise

During aerobic activity, you repeatedly move large muscles in your arms, legs and hips. You'll notice your body's responses quickly.

You'll breathe faster and more deeply. This maximizes the amount of oxygen in your blood. Your heart will beat faster, which increases blood flow to your muscles and back to your lungs.

Your small blood vessels (capillaries) will widen to deliver more oxygen to your muscles and carry away waste products, such as carbon dioxide and lactic acid.

Your body will even release endorphins, natural painkillers that promote an increased sense of well-being.

What aerobic exercise does for your health

Regardless of age, weight or athletic ability, aerobic activity is good for you. As your body adapts to regular aerobic exercise, you'll get stronger and fitter.

Consider the following 10 ways that aerobic activity can help you feel better and enjoy life to the fullest.

Aerobic activity can help you:

• 1. Keep excess pounds at bay
  Combined with a healthy diet, aerobic exercise helps you lose weight and keep it off.
• 2. Increase your stamina
  Aerobic exercise may make you tired in the short term. But over the long term, you'll enjoy increased stamina and reduced fatigue.
• 3. Ward off viral illnesses
  Aerobic exercise may activate your immune system. This may leave you less susceptible to minor viral illnesses, such as colds and flu.
• 4. Reduce your health risks
  Aerobic exercise reduces the risk of many conditions, including obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, stroke and certain types of cancer.
  
  Weight-bearing aerobic exercises, such as walking, reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
• 5. Manage chronic conditions
  Aerobic exercise may help lower blood pressure and control blood sugar. If you have coronary artery disease, aerobic exercise may help you manage your condition.
• 6. Strengthen your heart
  A stronger heart doesn't need to beat as fast. A stronger heart also pumps blood more efficiently, which improves blood flow to all parts of your body.
• 7. Keep your arteries clear
  Aerobic exercise boosts your high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the "good," cholesterol, and lowers your low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the "bad," cholesterol. This may result in less buildup of plaques in your arteries.
• 8. Boost your mood
  Aerobic exercise may ease the gloominess of depression, reduce the tension associated with anxiety and promote relaxation.
• 9. Stay active and independent as you age
  Aerobic exercise keeps your muscles strong, which can help you maintain mobility as you get older.
  
  Aerobic exercise also keeps your mind sharp. At least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three days a week appears to reduce cognitive decline in older adults.
• 10. Live longer
  Studies show that people who participate in regular aerobic exercise live longer than those who don't exercise regularly.