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Aerobic and Anaerobic Exercise

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Aerobic

Long-term energy release for a long period of exercise.

It is known as the system that uses oxygen.

When performing aerobic activity energy reserves are topped up throughout the exercise.

Aerobic activity helps to develop the cardiovascular system, strengthening the heart and lungs.

Examples of aerobic activity include, running, swimming and cycling.

Aerobic exercise is an excellent part of a weight loss program as it utilises the fat reserves in the body.

Anaerobic

Short-term energy release for powered short bursts of exercise.

It is known as the system that doesn't use oxygen.

The energy stored for this is used up quickly. This is why the energy is very short lived.

Anaerobic activity helps to develop and strengthen the skeletal frame and its surrounding muscles.

Examples of anaerobic activity include, sprinting and weight training.

Anaerobic activity improves strength, tones your body and protects against injury due to the development of the surrounding muscles. next

So which one do you do?

It is best to incorporate both types of exercise into your training routine. Then your body is being worked in all areas. You will have cardiovascular improvement with muscle definition. How far that muscle definition develops is up to you and what you want from your training.

Cross-training incorporates both these types of exercise. The routine usually kicks off with stretching and an aerobic workout followed by a series of weight training exercises. These utilise all the muscle groups of the body. However, the percentage of time spent on each part of the routine depends on how you want that part of your body to develop.