Repetitive motion exercises, such as running, bicycling, swimming and weightlifting, are commonly used in fitness routines to help build strength, endurance and speed. These types of aerobic exercises are beneficial to the development of muscular and joint health and are effective in burning calories, which, when paired with a sensible diet, will lead to weight loss.
Swimming
Swimming laps is a repetitive motion exercise that involves the arms and legs rhythmically working together to provide the body with cardiovascular and muscular benefits. For instance, the breast stroke involves the constant movement of both arms and legs -- the arms in an outward and then stroking motion, the legs in a bending and then kicking motion -- to propel you through the water. The freestyle stroke is especially useful in developing and strengthening the shoulder muscles, which are worked each time you alternately rotate the arms in a clockwise motion as you glide through the water.
Weightlifting
Weightlifting is ideal for strengthening and toning muscles and requires the legs and arms to perform several types of repetitive motions, including lifting, pushing and squatting. Bench pressing, for example, involves the rhythmic motions of lowering and raising a barbell to your chest and back. Squats require you to place a barbell on your shoulders and then to lower the weight by bending your knees until the backs of your thighs and calves touch and then to stand up again. Weightlifting exercises typically involve performing these types of activities for up to 10 repetitions at a time, which is an important ingredient for developing and strengthening muscles.
Bicycling
Bicycling, whether mobile or stationary, involves the constant flexing and unflexing of the lower-leg muscles and joints, including the knees, thighs and hamstrings. With the repetitive motions needed to ride a bike, your body is able to build muscle tissue and strengthen the ligaments contained in your lower legs. For people with knee or ankle problems, riding a stationary bike might be better since it can be operated using a constant force of pressure instead of constantly having to adjust pedal pressure, which is necessary to ride a mobile bike.
Running and Walking
Running involves the repetitive motion of your lower- and upper-body muscles working together to move you along your course of travel. Running is a high-impact exercise that can lead to knee, ankle and foot problems. Walking, on the other hand, is a low-impact repetitive motion exercise that can provide the same benefits as running, which include muscular and cardiovascular endurance. If you have problems with these lower-body joints and muscles, consider performing them in a pool where water’s weight-bearing quality removes most of the stress placed on these joints by your body weight while allowing them to be strengthened and conditioned.
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