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Fitness Defined - Aerobic Conditioning

By Brad Scott

Just about everyone knows that aerobic conditioning is an important part of fitness, but do you know why. Aerobic conditioning is more than the ability to run for a long time. Think of you body as a machine. Aerobic conditioning refers to your ability to operate the machine efficiently. Having a good cardiovascular and respiratory system creates that efficiency. Let’s start with the muscles. Muscles operate by using a chemical known as Adenosine Triphosphate or ATP.

ATP allows a muscle to contract. Whether at rest or in full exercise mode, we use ATP. As a muscle is used in burns the ATP and creates a by-product which must be discharged from the body. The blood stream carries this by-product to the lungs. As you breathe, your lungs discharge the by-product and refill the blood cells with good air.

So your muscles, heart and lungs work together to allow your body to function properly. The better your aerobic conditioning the better your heart pumps blood through your veins and the better you lungs exchange bad air for good air. The overall process is a little more complex than that, but I wanted to simplify to make sure everyone understands aerobic conditioning.

So if aerobic conditioning allows your body to function at its peak effeciency, how do you maximize that effeciency. In order to improve the conditioning of your cadiovascular and respiratory system you must push it past your comfortable limits. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways and running is not the only answer.

Jogging or running is what most people think of, when they think about aerobic conditioning. But aerobic conditioning can be accomplished using a step, row machine, aerobics class, elliptical, stair master and even walking. The key is to find some activity you like doing and will do. For example, I do not like to run, period. I have never liked running just for the sake of running. I prefer to use an elliptical or run a few games of basketball. At home I love Tae Bo.

After you pick a form of aerobic conditioning, next you have to pick an interval. The basic interval you will hear about is the three times per week, 20 minutes each time. And that is truly OK. But you can add variety and still get good results. How about doing interval training and working out for shorter periods of time.

Or jog for 15 minutes, six day a week. What if all you can do run is 45 minutes, 1 day a week. Everything above is exceptable. The bottom line is if you are not happy with the results you are getting, change what you are doing. If you do not participate in any aerobic activity at all, then anything you do at this point will help you. If you have a constant aerobic program, then add variety to it.

My program involves jumping rope, walking, running on the elliptical and boxing. I try to train aerobically for about 30 minutes, 4 times per week. I schedule 4 days, so if i miss a day, I don't feel too guilty.

What kind of aerobic activity do you participate in now? How often and at what intensity?

Live for the Moment.....Exercise for Life

About the Author:

Brad Scott is Owner and President of Sport and Life Fitness in Melbourne Florida. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and is a Certified Fitness Trainer and Specialist in Sports Conditioning with the International Sports Sciences Association. With over 20 years of experience, Brad offers a wide variety of fitness solutions for most anyone. Visit him online at www.SportAndLifeFitness.com today and start your fitness journey.