Aerobic exercise is exercise that involves or improves oxygen consumption by the body.

Aerobic exercise and fitness can be contrasted with anaerobic exercise, for example strength training and weight training are the most salient examples.

You need to burn 3,500 calories if you want to burn a pound of fat, and it is difficult to lose weight and reduce body fat with aerobic exercise only.

Interval training forces your body to adapt between higher and lower intensities of exercise, raising your metabolism for longer after your work out, so that you continue to burn calories. Interval programmes are available on gym machines, and a fitness expert will be able to advise you.

Vary your aerobic exercise, as over-concentration on one exercise will mean you burn fewer and fewer calories as time goes on. Rowing, running, cycling, swimming, tennis and classes such as body combat and circuits are effective calorie burners.

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