I am a firm believer that aerobic exercise is a vital component to an overall fitness program. How one goes about achieving aerobic health is certainly a personal preference and therefore the following information is for example only. For those who find it mentally laborious to perform stationary aerobic activities; i.e. the elliptical, stair climber, treadmill, etc. for any length of time but want to reap the benefits of its inclusion, the suggestions below may be of value to you.
If you are one of those folks who would prefer to watch paint dry then to sit on a bike to nowhere, here are just a couple of simple options to makes aerobic exercise more tolerable.
Depending on your availability and where you exercise, you may want to try the following idea. Pick 2-4 different pieces of equipment that you like and are safe for you to perform. Now, depending on how long you want to do aerobic work for, split those exercises up into segments and perform 1,2 or even 3 rounds. Here is a simple example:
Your goal for the day is to perform 30 minutes of aerobic training. You have access to 3 pieces of equipment: the elliptical, the stair climber and the treadmill. Perform 5 minutes on each piece of exercise equipment for 2 rounds, taking as little rest as needed to start the next exercise up.
Another 30-minute example is again taking 3 pieces of equipment and doing 4 rounds. Round 1 for 4 minutes, round 2 for 3 minutes, round 3 for 2 minutes and round 4 for 1 minute. You may find the idea of switching equipment tedious at first but the exchange of exercises allows for a greater focus on the exercise and a higher output of energy, plus the stopping-starting creates a bit of interval application at less intense levels and really offers a greater “kick” to the session.
These are just a couple ideas to the matrix of endless options. At FIT by FRED I have 4 main aerobic pieces to use in our private facility and offer private and group aerobic training sessions. – Fred Fornicola
fitbyfred.net 