Understanding the Benefits of Anaerobic Exercise: Exploring its Definition and Types
When we talk about exercise, the first thing that comes to mind is cardio. While cardio is undoubtedly beneficial, it’s not the only type of exercise that can help you achieve your fitness goals. In fact, there’s another type of exercise that’s gaining popularity in recent years, and that is anaerobic exercise. In this article, we will be exploring what anaerobic exercise is, its different types, and how it can benefit your body.
What is Anaerobic Exercise?
Anaerobic exercise is a type of exercise that involves short bursts of intense physical activity. Unlike cardio, which focuses on endurance, anaerobic exercise targets strength, power, and speed. During anaerobic exercise, your body relies on energy stored in your muscles instead of using oxygen from the air you breathe. As a result, the activity is short-lived and lasts only a few seconds to a few minutes.
Types of Anaerobic Exercise
There are different types of anaerobic exercise that you can incorporate into your fitness regimen. Let’s take a closer look at each of them.
1. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
HIIT is a popular type of anaerobic exercise that involves short bursts of intense activity followed by brief periods of rest or recovery. The goal of HIIT is to get your heart rate up and keep it there for the duration of the workout. This type of exercise can be done with bodyweight exercises, such as burpees and squats, or with equipment like kettlebells and battle ropes.
2. Sprinting
Sprinting is another form of anaerobic exercise that targets speed and explosiveness. Whether you’re running sprints on a track or up a hill, this activity involves pushing your body to its limits for a brief period of time.
3. Weightlifting
Weightlifting involves lifting heavy weights for a few repetitions or sets. This type of exercise builds strength, power, and muscle mass.
Benefits of Anaerobic Exercise
Now that we have a better understanding of what anaerobic exercise is and its different types, let’s dive into some of the benefits it can offer.
1. Improves Cardiovascular Health
Anaerobic exercise may not be cardio, but that doesn’t mean it can’t improve your cardiovascular health. HIIT workouts, in particular, have been shown to improve blood pressure, reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, and increase oxygen consumption.
2. Builds Muscle Mass
Weightlifting and other types of anaerobic exercise can help you build muscle mass. This type of exercise creates micro-tears in your muscle fibers, which your body then repairs and grows back stronger and more significant.
3. Boosts Metabolic Rate
Anaerobic exercise can also boost your metabolic rate. This means that your body can burn calories at a higher rate even when you’re not exercising. Studies have shown that HIIT workouts can increase metabolic rate by up to 15% for hours after the workout.
Conclusion
While cardio is still an essential part of any workout routine, anaerobic exercise is a great way to target different aspects of your fitness. By incorporating HIIT workouts, sprinting, or weightlifting into your routine, you can reap the benefits that anaerobic exercise has to offer, from improving cardiovascular health to building muscle mass and boosting metabolic rate. So why not try adding some anaerobic exercises to your next workout? You might be surprised by the results.
