Aerobic vs Anaerobic Exercises
Aerobic and anaerobic exercise can both be great additions to your workout routine as they can each provide a number of health benefits while keeping you in great shape.
Aerobic exercise is any kind of cardiovascular conditioning, also known as cardio. When performing a cardio workout, your heart rate and breathing will increase for a sustained period of time.
Some examples of aerobic exercise include; running, cycling, rowing, swimming, dancing, etc.
Anaerobic exercise involves quick bursts of energy performed at your maximum effort for a short period of time. Some examples of anaerobic exercise include; HIIT, sprints, jumping, heavyweight training, etc.
The Differences Between Anaerobic & Aerobic Exercises
One of the main differences between aerobic and anaerobic exercises is that your heart rate will differ between the two.
When performing an aerobic exercise, you will be breathing deeper and faster than you would when your heart is at rest. You are also maximizing the amount of oxygen in your blood – this happens when your heart rate goes up, therefore increasing blood flow to the muscles and then back to the lungs.
When performing an anaerobic exercise, your body will require immediate energy. This is because our body relies on stored energy sources, rather than oxygen, to fuel itself – this includes breaking down glucose.
When deciding on which exercises for you, you should first decide on and understand your fitness goals. If you are new to exercise and working out, then the aerobic exercise would be a great option in order to build and improve endurance.
If you are familiar with exercise and working out, or if you are trying to lose some weight in a smaller amount of time, then anaerobic workouts might be a better choice for you, and you might want to consider introducing sprints or HIIT training in to your routine to better help you reach your fitness goals.
Aerobic vs Anaerobic Exercises
Benefits of Aerobic Exercise
Aerobic exercise offers a number of benefits for your health – including keeping your heart healthy and reducing your risk of a heart attack, type 2 diabetes, or a stroke.
Some other benefits of aerobic exercise include the following;
- Can help promote weight loss and keep the weight off
- Can help to lower blood pressure
- Can increase stamina and reduce fatigue when exercising
- Can activate the immune system making it less likely to catch a cold or the flu
- Can strength and improve heart
- Can improve mood
Benefits Of Anaerobic Exercise
Anaerobic exercise is a great way to build muscle or lose weight – it can also be very beneficial if you have been working out for a long time and are trying to reach a new goal. Anaerobic exercise can also help you maintain muscle mass as you age.
Some other benefits of anaerobic exercise include the following;
- Can strengthen bones
- Can burn fat
- Can build muscle
- Can increase stamina for everyday activities such as walking, dancing, etc.
The Take-Away
Both aerobic and anaerobic exercises can be greatly beneficial for your health and wellbeing.
Depending on your end goal and current fitness level, you might consider starting out with aerobic exercises such as walking, cycling, and jogging 2-3 times a week.
As you begin to build endurance and strength, you can then decide to add in anaerobic exercises such as HIIT or sprints. These workouts will help you build muscle, improve stamina and burn fat.
