Prior to the year 1968, the term aerobic exercise was not a part of everyday vocabulary. It was not until two United States Air Force medical specialists began experimenting with various forms of physical exercise that the term was established. In fact, the greater public was completely unaware of any kind of aerobic exercise until the two specialists released a book entitled "Aerobics."
Originally, aerobics involved three specific types of exercise including cycling, swimming, and running, though many other activities have since been included in this category. As detailed in the book Aerobics, the main goal of any aerobic exercise is to provide an increased amount of oxygen to the body as a whole. Therefore, any type of physical activity that accomplishes this task can be labeled aerobic exercise.
Essentially, any form of exercise that causes the pulse to race is a form of aerobics. Aerobics can include skiing, jogging, running on a treadmill, using an elliptical trainer, any anything else that may cause a person to sweat profusely or raise his or her heart rate.
Contrary to popular belief, aerobics do not have to be performed within a typical fitness center setting. Instead, aerobics can include all kinds of outdoor and indoor activities. Even though the concept of aerobics was developed during the 1960s, the benefits of aerobics are still widely supported today. The only difference between the initial concept of aerobics and contemporary aerobics is the addition of weight training.
While it's hard to criticize any theory that supports physical activity, modern physical fitness experts do not believe that aerobics alone can keep a person's body in shape. Instead, these professionals believe that aerobics must be combined with weight training, a proper diet, and a healthy lifestyle. As the years pass, and many studies based upon the effects of exercise are conducted, physical fitness experts add and adjust the necessary steps to becoming physically fit.
Still, aerobic exercise remains an integral part of a healthy lifestyle. Anyone who wishes to partake in aerobic activity can do so simply by walking, running, or finding another activity that causes oxygen to fill the lungs. Aerobic activity is not confined to one type of exercise or another, though everyone should attempt to participate in some type of aerobic activity on a regular basis in order to remain healthy.