Aerobic Exercise: Fit in a Minute

Aired on Lifetime Television
Sunday, February 26 and April 23, 2006

Show 308

Successful exercise means a combination of strength training and aerobics. Dr. Kenneth Cooper coined the term "aerobics" back in the 1960s. Aerobic exercise is more important than ever. When Dr. Ken Cooper first published the book "Aerobics" back in 1968, it forever changed the way we look at exercise. Aerobics involves exercising the heart and lungs through a continuous low intensity workout. This could be from jogging, walking, swimming, biking, or any exercise that you can do continually for at least 15 to 20 minutes and keep your heart rate between 50 percent and 80 percent of maximum. Activities like downhill skiing, racquetball, soccer, and weightlifting are high intensity aerobic activities. While they do produce positive results, they are not as beneficial to the cardiovascular system as low intensity aerobic activities. Besides improving your cardiovascular health, increasing your aerobic fitness levels will help you sleep better and control your appetite. But most importantly, aerobics will make you feel better.