Why Aerobic Workouts are Great for You

Urban living and a couch-potato lifestyle has got me huffing and puffing like a steam engine. Panic button pressed, I tried to find out the why and wherefore. Horrors unfolded. Friends suggested many remedies—diets, a trainer, gym workouts, yoga and more.

In a few days I came to the conclusion that I needed to—with military footing—work towards a healthy heart, mind, and body. Panic was not the answer to my dilemma. Soon I discovered that aerobic workouts would be the best path to adopt—it would help strengthen my heart as well as improve health and lend vitality.

Aerobic workouts, I learned, are routines that increase the heart rate and breathing. An aerobic exercise could be as simple as a brisk walk or raking leaves or playing catch with children. These are termed as mild/moderate aerobic activities. High-intensity aerobic workouts include: jogging, cardio workouts at gyms, racket sports, aerobic dancing, skating, gymnastics and more.

The first step was to undergo a health check and consult a doctor. With the doctor’s advice I chalked out a simple lifestyle-change plan: a simple nutritious diet, very little couch time, and a workout schedule.

The plan was to begin slowly increasing the levels steadily. As my BMI was high (and way off the scale) I chose walking as an aerobic exercise—the plan being to walk at least thirty minutes every day.

The key to fitness, I realized, was to select an activity I enjoyed and be disciplined about it. What surprised me was that within 3-4 days I began to feel more active and healthy.

Aerobic workouts create proven, life-changing benefits

It increases well-being and confidence, and helps reduce/maintain weight.
It strengthens the heart and reduces risk of cardio-vascular ailments.
Aerobic workouts reduce bad cholesterol and increase levels of good cholesterol.
Exercising regularly busts stress and promotes a sense of well-being.
Aerobic workouts enhance endorphin levels in the body (the feel good hormones).
Regular exercise helps regulate blood pressure and diabetes. In fact if children exercise regularly they can prevent onset of lifestyle-related diabetes.
Aerobic workouts tone muscles and enhance vitality and beauty.
A regular aerobic routine strengthens immunity and prevents colds, the flu, as well as viral fevers.
Adopting aerobic workouts help you live life to the fullest.

Conclusion

According to the gurus, in order to reap optimal benefit s from aerobic workouts, it is important to regulate the intensity. Intensity of workouts depends on factors like age, weight, health conditions and so on.

Practically it is best to exercise for thirty minutes at least three times a week (ideally all seven days) for around thirty minutes at an intensity of approximately 50-80% of your maximum heart rate.

It is advisable to begin slowly and then build up levels of intensity over time. Efficacy of exercise can be enhanced by investing in comfortable exercise gear.

Modern living presents a great many choices and it is possible to adopt an indoor or outdoor exercise routine and vary the routine with changes in weather. To enjoy the workout, choose a routine that is fun. Another option is to exercise with a friend or family member. I have a whole group of women who walk and talk together, this makes the walk enjoyable and a breeze.