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 There is a lot of information available on what is the best workout, what exercises work best for women/men, best for building strength, best for losing weight, etc.  Some information is good, some not, but the sheer volume of opinions and research (and misinformation) is enough to make your head spin.

Let’s get down to basics.  A complete workout is comprised of two types of exercise – aerobic and anaerobic. And you need to include both in your gym program for optimum results and benefits.

Aerobic means “with oxygen” and refers to the use of oxygen in the body’s metabolic or energy-generating process.  Aerobic exercise uses your arm and leg muscles giving your heart and lungs a continuous workout.  Biking, Stairmaster, Zumba, dancing, spinning, Step Aerobics and swimming are all examples of aerobic exercises.

At least 30 minutes of daily aerobic activity is recommended.  Fortunately, there are a variety of fun and easy aerobic exercises.  If “aerobics” brings back images of 80’s era leg warmers and spandex, relax.  Classes have evolved and today you can safely workout without “feeling the burn.”  All 7 Kennedy Fitness locations offer aerobics classes for all fitness levels and work out styles.

Anaerobic means “without oxygen” and refers to exercise is short, fast and high intensity.   Use anaerobic exercises to build and tone muscles. Anaerobic exercises include free weights, Body Sculpt, Pilates, and weight circuit training.

Because your muscles need oxygen, anaerobic exercises cannot last long.  For example, running is aerobic, sprinting is anaerobic. During anaerobic exercises, a by-product, lactic acid, is produced.

Lactic acid contributes to muscle fatigue and must be burned up by the body during a recovery period before the next round of anaerobic exercise. Lactic acid removal can be accelerated by stretching before your workout and doing proper cool down.

At Kennedy Fitness, your personal trainer can design a custom workout program that incorporates aerobic and anaerobic workouts.  Many of our 30+ classes use both aerobic and anaerobic exercises.  Zumba Light and Tone, Step and Sculpt, Pay Off and even certain styles of Yoga combine aerobic and anaerobic exercises.

If you prefer to workout on your own schedule, our personal trainers at all locations – Cherry Hill, Mullica Hill, Berlin, Turnersville, Medford, Mt. Laurel, and Sewell can help you design a program that works for you.  Start with a workout on the treadmill, stair climber or stationary bike for your aerobic workout.  Then move onto one of our many weight circuits or free weights for an anaerobic workout.