We've all been told about the importance of aerobics in our daily lives. But what constitutes an activity as an aerobic one and how do we integrate it into our all ready busy lives? Aerobic exercise is any extended activity that makes you breathe hard while using the large muscle groups at a regular, even pace.

Aerobic Workouts

There is a whole industry surrounding fitness with TV programs, DVDs and books on the subject. The 1970s brought a fitness trend, especially in the form of aerobic workouts. We were all caught up in the movement to look good and feel good. My attempts to get fit tend to go thru phases, including do nothing phases. I tried aerobic workouts for a while, inspired by the Jane Fonda workout. I bought the stripy socks, the leotard and the headband. That was the easy part. The exercises certainly take it out of you.

Aerobic Exercise Workouts Aren't Just About Going the Gym.

The rush to join a gym was like lambs to the slaughter. It looks so easy when celebrities do aerobic workouts, and they all seem to have some sort of fitness DVD on the market. Everyone gets in on the act, models, actresses and winners of reality TV shows all don the gear and talk knowingly about cardiovascular this and cardiovascular that. They all look great, with perfect bodies, teeth, hair and skin. You want to be like them, and aerobic workouts seem to be the answer to our prayers. We buy the gear and we load the DVD, the music is pumping and so are we.

The trouble with me is I don't have the self discipline to stick with something long term and see the effects. I get bored after a few weeks and I try something else. I went from aerobic workouts to kick boxing to yoga, back to aerobics, to jogging, weight training and to Tai Chi. My body is confused. It doesn't know which muscles are going to be challenged next.

Going to a gym is a depressing experience. No one else there looks as if they need to go. They perform on the running machines so effortlessly. They prop up their magazines on the machines, whilst they do their aerobic workouts and never break into a sweat. They don't make middle aged, overweight people very welcome.

I never feel like I belong there, so I'd much rather jump on my exercise bike at home where I don't have an audience. Cycling and swimming are supposed to be good for the heart and you don't need an exclusive gym membership. I really should pick an activity and stick to it. Celebrities of course, have a fitness trainer. I think that's what I need, someone to push me to my limits. I need a hard taskmaster, to make me do my aerobic workouts regularly and tell me I look good in lycra, even if I don't.

Article by S.R. Harrison an independent writer for Healthy Help Files on Fitness and Exercise Issues.

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