The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity each week. Moderate intensity is defined as any activity that gets the heart pumping and makes you break a sweat. Finding an activity you enjoy and one that gets your heart beating is the key to maintaining good health.
Walking or Jogging
For many people, strapping on a quality pair of shoes and hitting the pavement is one of the easiest ways to get in a workout. A brisk walk at 3.5 mph can burn up to 346 calories in an hour for someone weighing 200 lbs. Jogging at 5 mph burns double that amount. If you don't have any problems with pain in your legs or knees, walking may be one of the simplest aerobic activities you can do, and takes not training or expertise.
Bike Riding
For people looking for a lower impact workout, and one that's easy to do, bicycling is a fun option, and an effective workout to boot. Jumping on a bike, whether stationary or on the open road, can burn up to 364 calories per hour for a 200-lb. person, according to the Mayo Clinic. Push up the intensity or start climbing some hills, and you can really get your heart racing.
Aerobics Classes
If you're at the gym and just not sure how to get a sweat going, try a beginner's aerobics classes. Many gyms offer group classes for beginners that guide you through a full-body workout that's sure to get you sweating and on your way to better health. Fitness instructors often guide the classes and can tailor the workout to the level of the class members, ensuring you won't get left behind.
Water aerobics are another low-impact, fun way to get fit and involve using the resistance of the water to boost heart rate and burn calories. Aerobics classes also offer the motivation of working out with other people to keep you going and feed off other people's energy.
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