Basics of Exercise - John Howard - Personal Fitness Trainer

John Howard Certified Personal Fitness Trainer Email: training@johnhoward.net

Exercise Basics

In any exercise program, there are two basic types of exercises utilized that are referred to as aerobic and anaerobic exercise.

Aerobic Exercise - For our interest, a type of exercise that involves major muscle groups working together in a manner that causes the heart and lungs to work harder to provide the body with an adequate oxygen supply. Examples of aerobic exercise include cycling, walking, jogging, swimming and aerobic dance. Aerobic exercise is required to burn body-fat.

Anaerobic Exercise - For our purposes, a type of exercise that does not require the body to provide a tremendous amount of oxygen and is used to strengthen, shape and train muscles in the skeletal muscle system (not heart, lungs etc.). Examples of anaerobic exercises include push-ups, crunches, squats, and arm curls. Anaerobic exercise is necessary to increase muscle strength and size, and shape and tone the body.

Exercise Types Involved In Reaching Particular Goals

Weight Loss and Management - Moderate aerobic training to reduce body-fat and light to moderate anaerobic training to increase metabolism.

Body Shaping And Toning - Light to moderate aerobic training to reduce body-fat and moderate anaerobic training to strengthen and shape muscles.

Strength Training - Light aerobic training to warm-up muscles and moderate to very heavy anaerobic training to improve strength.

Flexibility Training - Light aerobic training to warm-up muscles prior to stretching exercises.

Health and Fitness Training - Light to moderate aerobic and anaerobic training.

Bodybuilding - Light aerobic training to warm-up muscles, light to moderate aerobic training to reduce body-fat, moderate to heavy anaerobic training to increase muscle strength and size.

Sports conditioning - Exercises are designed to improve sports performance and reduce the likelihood of injury. The design will vary from sport to sport.

Cardiovascular Training - Light to heavy aerobic training.

I design all of my clients programs with some aerobic, anaerobic, and flexibility training so they can prevent injuries and get the most benefit from their individual programs.