The goal of aerobic activity is to increase cardiovascular health and lose weight. To be effective, aerobic exercise needs to be performed within your target heart rate zone for at least thirty minutes. If you can hang in there longer, the benefits will increase. During aerobic activity, fat is burned away. This is optimal for you because burning stored fat leads to weight loss. If you can spare thirty minutes a day three days a week, use it to maximize your routine in the time you have available.

Apply circuit training techniques to your aerobic routine. This can be done one of two ways. First, let’s say that the treadmill is your favorite cardio machine. Create a program that will challenge your heart every step of the way. Start out with a light walk for the first five minutes to warm-up. A warm-up is important to avoid muscle cramping and muscle injury.

After the first five minute interval, try a brisk walk at a speed you can handle with proper form and breathing. Maintain this pace for five to ten minutes. Increase the speed even more until you are performing a slow jog. If you are new to jogging/running, five minutes at the outset is good enough. Lower the speed back down to a fast walk for the next ten minutes. If you only have thirty minutes to spare, decrease the brisk walk to five minutes and perform a five minute cool down.

Cool downs are just as important as the warm-ups. The cool down gives you a chance to catch your breath again and stretch your legs. If you have forty-five minutes to spare, continue alternating between the brisk walk and the jog, making sure to leave five minutes for a cool down.

Try the circuit training philosophy on different types of equipment in the same session. Try this: Start out on the elliptical trainer. If your workout place has an elliptical with poles, you’ll benefit from the upper and lower body working at the same time. Vigorously work out for about ten to fifteen minutes. Without resting, transition to the recumbent bike. Pedal away for about ten to fifteen minutes. Again, if you only have thirty minutes finish up with a cool down on the treadmill.

Working out at home is not a problem when it comes to maximizing aerobic benefits. If you use aerobic videos or DVD’s, choose one that conforms to your time constraints, but also provides a varied upper and lower body workout. All aerobic videos include a warm-up and a cool down phase.

Exercise is a lifelong commitment. Whenever you have time to do some type of physical activity is cumulative. Everything you do adds up to a better life!

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Exercise : How To Get the Most From Your Aerobic Exercise Routine