What Are the Benefits of Doing Aerobic Exercise?
Training routines should be varied, so your body can get a thorough workout. However, some people make the mistake of just exercising within their comfort zone. Another common mistake is believing that the benefits of doing aerobic exercise don’t apply to them, due to their body’s makeup. Or some may think that aerobics doesn’t fit in with their fitness goals.
If you’re one of those people, it’d be good to know a little more about aerobic exercise, including everything it can do for you and all the benefits you could get. Of course, aerobic exercise is also excellent to help you vary your training sessions. Would you like to know more?
Characteristics of aerobic exercise
You can do aerobic exercise at different intensity levels. However, the most common level is intermediary. Many exercise routines fall into the aerobic exercise category because of the oxygen levels the body requires to produce the energy you need.
Here are some characteristics of this type of exercise. One aspect is that it’s long-lasting, not just a sprint for a couple of minutes. Aerobic exercise also tends to be at a constant pace. Aerobic sports include swimming, cycling. and athletics.
On the other hand, physical activities such as walking are also healthy practices. These low-impact aerobic activities have many health benefits, according to a study published by the journal Sports Medicine Open.
Here are some of the most important benefits of doing aerobic exercise. Don’t miss out!
1. Improves lung function
One of the main objectives of aerobic exercise is to improve lung function. When you do aerobics, your lungs have to work harder to get the oxygen you need. Moreover, your lungs become more efficient at exchanging carbon dioxide for oxygen.
Over time, your respiratory system adapts and starts to improve your aerobic resistance. If you haven’t noticed any changes in this regard, perhaps you should adjust your exercise routine to get your lungs working more.
2. Improves cardiovascular health
Doing aerobic exercise increases your heart rate due to the increase in intensity (moderate or intermediate workouts). This means that your heart has to work harder to pump oxygenated blood to every corner of your body. This gradually improves your whole cardiac system’s strength, especially the heart.
In the same way as the lungs, a strong heart can better deal with a heavier load. This is true both for activities in daily life as well as for increasing the intensity of your training sessions.
3. Benefits of aerobic exercise: burns calories
Burning calories really stands out among the many benefits of doing aerobic exercise. In fact, this positive effect is one of the most important advantages of aerobics, since it contributes to a more active metabolism.
It’s a good idea to combine aerobic exercise with strength training to get the best results. You can also keep an eye on the calories you consume each day. If you’re disciplined in these areas, you won’t just burn calories; you’ll also build muscle at the same time.
4. Strengthens the immune system
Since it’s a type of physical exercise, one of the benefits of doing aerobics is that it strengthens your immune system. With that in mind, doing aerobic exercise regularly can help you to be less susceptible to viruses and other diseases and conditions.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that physical exercise will make you immune to everything. Rather, it means that your body will be much more resistant, both physically and physiologically.
5. Contributes to higher self-esteem
Releasing hormones is one of the best-known benefits of doing aerobics. Feelings of well-being, happiness, pleasure, and tranquility tend to be at higher levels after you exercise.
When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which are chemical substances that make you feel happy. Endorphins have even on occasion been compared with natural drugs, thanks to the feelings they elicit.
Benefits of aerobic exercise
Of course, no matter what kind of training or physical activity you do, you should always take care of yourself and not go beyond your limits. That way, not only can you take advantage of the positive effects but also avoid risks such as injuring yourself.
With that in mind, before starting a new training routine of aerobic exercise or another kind, it’d be a good opportunity to have a check-up at your doctor’s. You could also use the services of a professional trainer who can help you plan aerobic training sessions.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Arboleda Naranjo, L. H. (2003). Beneficios del Ejercicio. Hacia Promoc. Salud.
- Domínguez Ferraz, D., & Grau Pellicer, M. (2011). Entrenamiento aeróbico y de fuerza en la rehabilitación del ictus. In Fisioterapia. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ft.2011.06.006
