The best aerobic workout is one that best suits your specific needs and criteria. You can rank aerobic workouts on their intensity, impact, calorie burn or by how much enjoyment they give you. One workout ranks at or near the top of several categories, although it might not be the best workout for you.
Choices
Aerobic workouts consist of any activity that moves large muscle groups for a sustained period of time. Your choices are vast. Walking, running and skiing count as aerobic workouts, as do swimming, inline skating and jumping rope. Move indoors, and your choices include the treadmill, elliptical, aerobic dance and stationary bike.
Calorie Burn
If you're going for the best calorie-burning aerobic exercise, the elliptical and running take the proverbial cake. The elliptical machine can burn 13 calories per minute, according to website Women Fitness, although it does not note your weight. If you weigh 120 pounds, running can burn 11.4 calories per minute, according to ACE Fitness. Comparatively, swimming at a moderate pace can burn 9.3 calories per minute while bicycling at 10 mph or higher can burn 5.5.
Impact
The elliptical machine, bicycling and swimming come out on top when it comes to low-impact aerobic exercise. Because you are standing on the elliptical, the machine gives you a weight-bearing exercise that helps strengthen your muscles and bones. Bicycling takes the weight off, which works well if you are more than 50 pounds overweight or just starting an exercise program. Swimming can be the best if, again, you are overweight or recovering from injury because the water lessens gravity's pull and stress on your body.
Intensity
The elliptical ranks at the top again, offering a high-intensity workout. Swimming, which also uses all your major muscle groups, can also be intense and strenuous. The Cleveland Clinic warns that ellipticals, stair climbers, swimming, aerobic dance and jogging can, in fact, be too strenuous if you are a beginner or out of shape. Lower-intensity options include walking and bicycling.
Considerations
Pick an aerobic workout you'll actually stick with and enjoy. Don't opt for swimming, for instance, if you can't stand the thought of putting your face in the water or are sensitive to chlorine. Location, time, cost and availability are other factors to consider. You can more easily fit a quick jog around the block into a busy schedule and your budget than any activity at the gym.
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