Aerobics refers to a series of rhythmic, large muscle exercises usually done to music. However, once you get into aerobics, it becomes much more for you. It becomes music, movement, philosophy and lifestyle. On the one hand, it is a modern form of total body exercise and on the other hand, it is a motivating form of exercise, which is social and fun. It is a cardiovascular workout, which improves coordination, muscle strength and mobility. It also improves physiological and functional capacities while promoting general well-being. Aerobic activity is often classified into High Impact and Low Impact. The basic difference is that while in low impact aerobics, one foot always stays on the floor and supports the weight of the body, high impact aerobics includes actions where both feet go off the floor. Thus causing more jarring of the joints when the body weight hits the floor again. Walking is an example of low impact while high impact is jogging or jumping up and down.

High impact aerobics - all that you need to know!

High impact aerobics is a accelerated aerobics. It is also called "body-heat", for obvious reasons. As already mentioned, it means that both feet regularly lose contact with the floor, just as in running, jumping and hopping. This causes more jarring of the joints when the body weight hits the floor again. High-impact aerobic dance helps a great deal in improving fitness. This type of aerobic activity combines music with kicking, bending and jumping. The benefits that you derive from high impact aerobics are similar to those of running, bicycling or swimming. Intensity levels during high-impact aerobics tend to reach the upper end of the target heart rate zone (80%-90%). Here higher intensity is created by including bouncing and jumping movements using larger muscle groups. Movements involve arm patterns that are positioned above the heart for increasing the intensity. The High-impact aerobic dance is usually performed at a tempo of 130-160 beats per minute (BPM). Though low impact aerobics involves a smaller risk of injury than high-impact, high impact aerobics tends to offer a more rigorous and intensive workout.