Visiting this web site without first upgrading your browser may result in unreliable behavior. Fitness Monthly, September 2000 Aerobic Workouts by Mary Concannon Being physically fit is having the ability to perform your daily activities with ease, while having enough energy in reserve to perform an unexpected task such as running after a child. The physically fit have healthy hearts, blood vessels, lungs and muscles that enable them to fully enjoy active lifestyles. By improving aerobic endurance and muscular strength, body composition improvements will occur in time. Performing aerobic, strength training and flexibility exercises constitute a well-rounded physical fitness program.
Aerobic exercises use large muscle groups continuously for fairly long periods of time.
Walk before jogging, or pedal without resistance on a stationary bike. This helps the body transition from rest to activity by gradually increasing the heart rate and blood pressure, and redistributing the blood flow to the working muscles. Now that the muscles are warm and more elastic, stretch the muscles involved in the activity you are about to perform and hold each gentle stretch for about 30 seconds. You can also use the talk test. If you are not able to say short, 3-4 word phrases, you are either working too hard, or if you are chatting away, the exercise is too easy.