One of the primary goals of an exercise regimen should be to build and maintain aerobic fitness. Aerobic fitness is the ability of your heart, lungs, and muscles to work together to perform continuous or intermittent rhythmic type work. You can improve aerobic endurance by participating in a program of regular aerobic exercise.
The Department of Health and Human Services recommends 150 minutes of moderate—or 75 minutes of vigorous—intensity physical activity per week to gain the health benefits associated with physical activity. Additional health and fitness benefits can be gained if you include at least two days of strength training and train up to 300 minutes of moderate and 150 minutes of vigorous activity. Aerobic fitness activities can improve your health, reduce disease risk, reduce body fat and improve all-around physical fitness.
It’s important to select a type of exercise that uses the large muscles of the body in a continuous, rhythmical fashion, and that is relatively easy to maintain at a consistent intensity. It’s also important to choose exercises that you’ll enjoy and continue to do. With all the possible options out there, selecting the right cardiorespiratory exercise can be challenging.