Aerobics

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Aerobics is a particular form of aerobic exercise. Aerobics classes generally involve rapid stepping patterns, performed to music with cues provided by an instructor. This type of aerobic activity became quite popular after the 1970 publication of Dr. Cooper's book The New Aerobics, and went through a brief period of intense popularity in the 1980s, when many celebrities (such as Jane Fonda and Richard Simmons) produced videos or created television shows promoting this type of aerobic exercise. Recently, Aqua Aerobics has gained in popularity. Group exercise aerobics can be divided into two major types: Freestyle Aerobics and Pre-choreographed Aerobics. In the eighties, aerobics fashion trends were over-sized off-shoulder sweaters, tights, leg warmers, headbands, crimped hair, and sports bras.<ref>Basics. 6th ed. San Francisco: Pearson Education, Inc. 2005.</ref>

[edit] History

The word aerobic was coined by Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper, a physician at the San Antonio Air Force Hospital in Texas, to denote a system of exercise he developed to help prevent coronary artery disease. Cooper's book about the exercise system, Aerobics, was published in 1968. A year later, Jackie Sorenson developed aerobic dance. a series of dance routines to improve cardiovascular fitness.

[edit] Aerobic and Health

Research has been shown that aerobics is one of the healthiest forms of exercise. The literal meaning of aerobics is with oxygen i.e aerobics helps us to use oxygen more efficiently by conditioning the heart and lungs. This helps in the reduction of stress and weight control. Aerobic exercises have a wide range of benefits such as it encourages cardiovascular and muscular fitness and increases flexibility. Aerobics workouts are great for building a stronger heart and leaner body, lowering cholesterol and improving sleep patterns.