Anaerobic Exercise Benefits

Weight lifting or anaerobic exercises are very beneficial for the health and fitness of our body. They are a good supplement to aerobic and other fast exercises. Read on, to know more about benefits of anaerobic exercise...
Anaerobic Exercise Benefits
There is a difference in aerobic and anaerobic respiration. Hence, unlike aerobic exercises, anaerobic exercises are performed for a short duration of time, as they do not use oxygen for generating the body energy. Exercises that require oxygen for generating body energy produce lactic acid, which leads to muscle fatigue. It has been found that practicing anaerobic exercises three to four times a week is beneficial for the body.

What is Anaerobic Exercise?
The word anaerobic means, without oxygen. Anaerobic exercises are the intense exercises that are performed by athletes and gymnasts to achieve greater speed, power and endurance. Coming back to the question, what is anaerobic exercise? The anaerobic exercises include weight lifting, push ups, pull ups and other physical exercises that last for less than 2 minutes. In anaerobic exercises sufficient oxygen is not delivered to the cells to burn fats, so the body burns carbohydrates, which results in the burning of more calories.

Types of Anaerobic Exercise
Broadly classified, there are three types of anaerobic exercises viz. Isotonics, Isometrics and Calisthenic exercises. Isotonic exercises allow a full range of motion to the muscles. Examples of these exercises, include weight lifting with dumbbells or using spring boards or pads. With the help of these exercises the muscles are able to contract and tension is created between the moving muscles. These exercises particularly target specific muscles, like that of biceps. One peculiarity of isotonic exercises is that the muscle's length changes but the weight (called as resistance) remains constant. For instance, when you lift a weight and curl your biceps, the length of the muscles change but the weight remains constant. In an isometric exercise the position of the exerciser is stationary. The joint and muscles are moved against some resistance or large immovable force, for example, pushing through a wall or door frame. In the calisthenic type of anaerobic exercises, the body itself acts as a resistance force. For example push ups and sit ups wherein your own body weight acts as a resistive force.

Anaerobic Exercise Benefits
There are many benefits of anaerobic exercise that are mentioned below.

Heightened Metabolism
A slow metabolism is the prime reason for the lack of energy and activeness in many people. If the food you are eating is not digested properly then it leads to a variety of health problems like indigestion, constipation and weakness. If you have a good metabolism then your over all health will definitely improve drastically. This is the most crucial benefit of anaerobic exercises. So, try including anaerobic exercises in your workouts.

Stronger Bones
When you religiously follow a fixed routine of anaerobic exercises, you are automatically elevating your bone mass density and thereby strengthening them. Anaerobic exercise benefits are immense and since they are so effective for your bones, you simply can't miss them!

Increased vitality and energy
Anaerobic exercises improve blood circulation in our body and with better blood transmission all the organs get sufficient supply of oxygen and increase their vitality. You will feel fresh and healthy throughout the day.

Eye Candy Appeal
When you flex your muscles in the gym, it is not that you are only doing a favor to your body, instead you are enhancing your over all personality. As you progress in your exercise programs, you will notice a substantial change in your physical appearance and the confidence will reflect on your face. That surely will be an eye candy appeal for anyone who is watching you!

Decreases Blood Sugar Levels
Sugar or glycogen molecules primarily target our muscles. If you have sedentary lifestyle then you are inviting a large number of diseases, especially diabetes. When you are working and sweating in regular workouts then this sugar is burned by the body and proves harmless. But if you don't exercise, then this sugar is converted into fat and hinders your healthy life. Ensure, that you start some physical activity in your life before its too late.

Boon for Sports professionals
If you are a sports player, be it basketball, tennis, football or any sport that challenges you physically, you may often encounter situations when you feel you are exhausted but still you need to carry on. To maintain your endurance power and enhance the reservoir of your energy, it is best to go through anaerobic training exercises. The methodology of training gives you perfect training to understand your body limits and enhance your stamina.

Anaerobic exercises are different from aerobic exercises in the sense that anaerobic exercises are meant to be practiced for a very short time frame. One of the major anaerobic exercise benefits is that it will strengthen your immune system as the blood transmission will become better. It is not that we should only talk about the benefits of anaerobic exercises, real experience comes from incorporating these exercises in our daily life!

By Kundan Pandey
Published: 8/10/2009
 
Use the feedback form below to submit your comments.
Your Comments:
Your Name:
Use the form below to email this article to your friends.
Recipient Email Address:
 Separate multiple email addresses by ;
Your Name:
Your Email Address: