Aerobics is more than just a bunch of scantily-clad women with legwarmers (and sweatbands), burning up a sweat to popular music. In fact, aerobics is defined as a “mode of conditioning your body in order to its increase circulation as well as its breathing competence.” Aerobic exercise improves your oxygen intake and works major muscle groups such as the heart and lungs. Aerobic, or cardiovascular, exercises vary and include any form of vigorous activity such as jogging, bicycling and even swimming. These activities keep your heart rate up over a continuous period of time. This revs up the metabolism and leads to fat burning as well as weight loss.

The most common form of aerobic exercise is referred to simply as ‘aerobics.’ The term, which was first coined in 1968 by Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper, is rhythmic in nature. The exercises combine stretching and strength training elements with the ultimate goal of improving overall fitness. Arobics can be high or low-impact. High-impact aerobics is more jarring to the joints and doesn’t require that one foot always remain on the ground to support the body. Conversely, low-impact aerobics is gentler. Eiter way, aerobics is a customizable activity, one that can fits into a variety of fitness levels and lifestyles.

Some benefits of aerobics include:

• Strengthening heart & lungs
• Stimulating circulation of blood & lymphatic fluid
• Improving your immune system
• Burning calories
• Reducing fat
• Raising serotonin levels (to improve your mood and lift your depression)
• Increasing body strength
• Toning & shaping your body

Many gyms and local recreation centers offer aerobics classes. If you decide to join a class, make sure that you choose the level that most closely corresponds to your fitness level. For example, if you’re new to exercise, don’t sign up for an intermediate or advanced class.

Aerobics classes also vary in the type of activity. Different kinds of aerobics classes include:

• step-aerobics
• body conditioning
• kick-fit aerobics
• dance aerobics
• body pump
• and water (or aqua) aerobics.