Aerobic vs Anaerobic Exercise

Aerobic exercise seems to be a core component of many fitness programs, especially beginners workout routines. But, would the addition of anaerobic exercise be beneficial? To answer this, you must understand the difference between aerobic vs anaerobic exercise as well as the benefits to be gained from each. The contrast is really low intensity vs high intensity. Most people are familiar with aerobic varieties, which are the low intensity cardio programs designed to burn fat; anaerboic is less well-known. Anaerobic exercise encompasses high intensity training such as a strength training routine or HIIT routine.

Aerobic literally means “with oxygen.”  Oxygen is required to keep muscles in motion for a long period of time.   Muscles use this oxygen to burn fat.  Aerobic exercise is low to moderate in intensity and of extended duration, such as swimming, jogging, skiing or biking.

Anaerobic, on the other hand, means "without oxygen"; of course, your body will still need oxygen during anaerobic exercise but your muscles do not receive enough to keep up the extremely intense pace.  Instead, the muscles utilize glycogen, which comes from carbohydrates.  An anaerobic exercise is one that is short in duration but very intense and includes such popular activities as weight lifting and sprinting.

There are several ways you may benefit from aerobic exercise.  At least 30 minutes of daily activity can help improve your heart, lungs and blood flow which ultimately lead to a longer life.  These are among the other benefits:

1. Weight Reduction

2. Increasing endurance

3. Building a stronger immune system

4. Reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, certain cancers and obesity.

5. More efficient cardiovascular and circulation system

6. Increased good cholesterol, decreased bad cholesterol

You can also benefit from anaerobic exercise. You'll enjoy much stronger muscles and a reduced amount of body fat. A strength-training regimen will help build muscle mass, decrease body fat, increase bone density, and give you much of the same sorts of general health benefits you get from aerobic activity.  Another common form of anaerobic training is a HIIT routine, which involves short bursts followed by recovery periods.  It has been demonstrated that this sort of exercise increases metabolism after the routine, which results in more calories burned than with a low intensity work out. HIIT also has the added benefit of releasing HGH, which is a trigger for muscle building as well as fat loss. You also improve your cardiovascular system and increase your aerobic capacity.

As you can see, both aerobic training and anaerobic training each have unique benefits. Therefore, both are a valuable part of any fitness routine. But, a beginner should start out with an aerobic exercise regimen. To perform high intensity anaerobic training, you must have a good aerobic base built up. More advanced work out fans often wonder if they should favor one variety of exercise over another. Aerobic exercise is almost too easy for such people and does not necessary provide a workout that is as beneficial, especially given the fat burning effects of anaerobic exercise. However, there are still valuable health benefits to low intensity exercise, so, it should still be included. Plus, you can burn out or over-train if you overdo anaerobic activities.

Next time you choose between aerobic vs anaerobic exercise, remember that the difference is really low intensity vs high intensity. Aerobic activity is the low, steady exercise that is spread out over a longer period of time while the anaerobic variety is short bursts of high activity with small rest periods in between. Aerobic exercises like walking or jogging offer numerous health and cardiovascular benefits while anaerobic exercises such as a strength training routine or HIIT routine generally allow for more efficient fat burning and muscle building.