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Why Anaerobic Exercise Is The Way To Go

We all know that exercise leads to improved health, helps you feel better, boosts your confidence, and leads to a longer life. 

But what you may not realize is that it’s important to include various types of exercise in your regular workout regimen in order to maximize your results. One such type is anaerobic exercise.

What Is Anaerobic Exercise And How Does It Work?

Anaerobic exercise is shorts burst, high-intensity exercise where your body’s demand for oxygen exceeds how much oxygen is available. When you workout at a level of high intensity, it’s difficult for your cardiovascular system to deliver the necessary oxygen to your muscles quickly enough to keep up with the activity. For this reason, anaerobic exercises can and should only be performed at short periods of time per session.

Anaerobic metabolism burns glycogen which is stored in muscle and the liver. Because anaerobic activity causes a higher level of energy release than aerobic activity, muscles need to respond more in order to meet the energy requirements. As a result, your body reaches its metabolic threshold and increases your heart rate nearly to its maximum.

Some examples of anaerobic exercise include:

  • Swimming sprints

  • Biking sprints

  • Running sprints

  • High-intensity training

  • Powerlifting

  • Push-ups

  • Jumping

  • Burpees

What Are The Health Benefits Of Anaerobic Exercise?

While all exercise has its benefits to your body and health, there are certain benefits that are unique to anaerobic activity. It burns more calories at rest by increasing metabolism, develops strength, increases the efficiency of working out, and increases VO2 max. Most importantly, anaerobic exercise promotes EPOC, Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption, which can facilitate burning for over 24 hours after working out.

  • Builds overall strength better than aerobic exercise

  • Increases muscle mass

  • Improves your cardiovascular system

  • Betters your respiratory fitness

  • Increases endurance

  • Allows you to better withstand fatigue

  • Aids in weight loss

  • Increases lean muscle mass, which helps boost metabolism

  • Decreases body fat

How Can I Get Started With Anaerobic Exercise?

Because anaerobic exercise pushes your body and increases your heart rate so drastically, the first thing to do before adding it into your exercise routine is to check with your doctor. Then, once your doctor gives you the go-ahead, start with replacing one of your regular workouts each week with anaerobic activity. From there, you should gain enough strength to begin adding anaerobic activity to your other workouts.

It’s important with any fitness routine that you have a support system. Matrix Age Management in Amarillo provides exactly that. To learn more about how we can help you get in shape, reach out to us today.

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