Aerobic Vs. Anaerobic Fitness – Knowing the Difference

Aerobic Exercise - Aerobic exercises are also called cardiovascular exercise, the kind that get your heart pumping and your breath coming short. Examples of aerobic exercise include running, swimming, cross-country skiing and many group fitness classes. According to fitness resource website Nutristrategy.com, aerobic exercises burn calories more effective than anaerobic exercises and are your best choice if exercising to lose weight.

Aerobic Fitness Benefits - Working your heart out regularly makes for a healthier heart. Regular aerobic exercise, even a brisk daily walk, can significantly reduce your likeliness of contracting heart disease and other circulatory illnesses. The weight-loss that often accompanies aerobic fitness also puts you at lower risk for type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer.

Anaerobic Exercise - Anaerobic workouts are also called "resistance training." These workouts push your muscles to work against above-average resistance to strengthen the muscles. Weight lifting, calisthenics and yoga are examples of resistance workouts. Because anaerobic workouts target muscle growth, they are the best choice if your fitness goals center on strength, or muscle mass.

Anaerobic Fitness Benefits - Muscles protect your body -- and stronger muscles protect your body more efficiently. In "Strong Women Stay Young," Dr. Miriam Nelson writes that muscles provide armor for your body in a fall or jostle, and provide support that protects your joints from wearing out. Other benefits of strong, toned muscles include sports performance and improved self-esteem.

Reference: Livestrong.com