Aerobics

Most people panic when they hear the word aerobics. The common image is of someone in tights, jumping endlessly, sweat streaming down their face. This is only one aspect of aerobic exercise.

Any activity that requires oxygen is an aerobic exercise. Walking, washing the dishes, playing with children, vacuuming, washing the car, are all aerobic exercises. Raise the arms above your head, and you are working the heart. It is as easy as that.

Aerobics increases the body’s ability to utilize oxygen. When a person is fit, oxygen moves efficiently through the body – heart, lungs, and blood vessels. The body can move more oxygen than it can if the body is not fit.

Aerobics enables the body to survive stress and bursts of strenuous exercise – like running to catch a child who is wandering onto the road.

Pick exercises that you enjoy and can do regularly. They must require some action. Sitting in the garden will not improve your body’s ability to use oxygen. Any exercise that needs to be done, without stopping, for 10 minutes will work. You can even do several different activities that keep your heart rate up, as long as you do not stop for 10 minutes. The Polar B1 Exercise Heart Rate Monitor with Medium T31 Chest Transmitter 34-5... is an easy to use heart rate monitor that can be purchased for under $40.00.