A complete guide to Aerobic vs. Anaerobic Exercise
What’s the difference and which one should you do?
Aerobic vs anaerobic exercise. Have you wondered what the difference is between the two and whether one is better for you than the other? If so, then you’re not alone…so let’s take a look.
The difference between aerobic and anaerobic exercise is really all in the name. Aerobic means with oxygen and anaerobic means without oxygen. More specifically aerobic exercise uses oxygen to produce energy and anaerobic exercise does not use oxygen to produce energy.
When you look at it in more detail, aerobic exercise is an exercise that is done at a moderate intensity and is sustained for longer than four minutes. At this intensity, you should be getting a good workout, but still be able to carry on a conversation with someone. If you cannot, you are out of breath and working too hard.
Aerobic also uses up the resources from the food you have eaten recently. These include carbohydrates and fats, and the oxygen intake allows the body to break down this food so that the muscles can use these resources freely.
Anaerobic exercise is done at a much higher intensity and for a shorter period of time, between ten seconds and two minutes. The pace is so intense that the muscles demand more oxygen than can be supplied and cannot break down the food and use it quickly enough.
When this happens the muscles need a different source of energy, and they use the glycogen stored in the muscles. This glycogen is stored from carbohydrates that have been consumed in the past. Also, since the pace is so intense, the muscles will fatigue more quickly.
Some examples of aerobic exercise include swimming, long distance running, cycling, skating, skiing, and walking. Examples of anaerobic exercise include sprinting, weightlifting, and team sports that require spurts of energy.
When it comes to an exercise program and aerobic vs anaerobic exercise, you must consider your needs and your goals. While it is a common thought that aerobic exercise is the best for weight loss, anaerobic exercise actually burns more calories per minute.
The best thing to do is to have a balance of both aerobic and anaerobic exercise in your life. Aerobic exercise will increase muscular endurance and anaerobic exercise will improve muscular strength and will also maximize oxygen consumption.
If you have ever thought about aerobic vs anaerobic exercise now you know what they are and can decide what role each should take in your life. Maybe you already have a focus on one and all you need to do is balance it out by adding the other into your exercise routine.
Aerobic vs anaerobic exercise is a mystery for many people and now that you know the difference you can explain it to others and help others make good choices when it comes to implementing a healthy exercise routine in their lives.
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