Myths About Aerobic Fitness

Aerobic fitness is defined as the "capacity to take in, transport and utilize oxygen." Most experts agree that aerobic exercise refers to physical activity that places demands on the oxygen using pathways that supply blood to your working muscles. Logically, aerobic training consists of exercising aerobically in order to improve your level of fitness.

Aerobic training can be achieved through many forms of exercise. Most health and fitness magazines provide several examples from the gym and beyond. The most noteworthy and popular of these are jogging and cycling, but fitness centers come equipped with several training machines that meet the criteria of aerobic fitness.

Much has been written in popular magazines about aerobic training and how it is the only way to burn fat. Engaging in intense aerobic exercise can burn up to one thousand calories per hour, which is definitely a considerable amount. Therefore, most people who want to reduce their level of body fat most often follow the advice given in popular magazines and choose this form of exercise for desired results.

The truth, though, is that aerobic exercise is not the only way or even the best way to burn fat. Anyone looking to burn fat and keep it off should include a program that increases lean muscle mass. Anaerobic exercise that includes some strength training or resistance training is vital for success. Building lean muscle mass helps to increase a person's metabolism, which is an effective way to burn fat even after the exercise session. A body with a fair amount of muscle mass expends more energy both during exercise and in performing daily tasks, and thus burns more calories. In other words, lean muscle mass helps to burn fat and to keep it off. As a fitness trainer I have seen clients with a decent amount of lean muscle mass burn fat and keep it off a lot more effectively than those with very little muscle mass, even when the latter clients were considered "thin."

Regardless, the aerobic fitness myth is very prevalent in Western society, particularly as it relates to women's health. Most women shy away from strength training fearing that this form of exercise only results in bulkier bodies and does not help to burn fat. Nothing could be further from the truth. My wife was reluctant to let go of this myth until recently when she started training with light weights and has seen now seen better fat burning results. A good fat burning strategy includes both aerobic training and some light to moderate strength training for optimal results. It's definitely time to let go of the old myths.