• MyEVO
    • FAQ
    • Insurance refund
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
    evo fitness evolvedevo fitness evolvedevo fitness evolvedevo fitness evolved
    • What is Evo
      • What is Evo
      • Philosophy
      • EVO Manifesto
      • EVO Academy
      • EVOMOVE
    • Training
      • Training
      • Personal Training
    • CLUBS
      • EVO Basel
      • EVO Bern
      • EVO Geneva Acacias
      • OPENING 26.09.2023 – EVO Geneva Champel
      • EVO Geneva Eaux-Vives CEVA
      • EVO Geneva Rue de Lausanne
      • EVO Lucerne
      • EVO Zurich Enge
      • EVO Zurich Oerlikon
      • EVO Zurich Schaffhauserstrasse
    • Blog
    • Join now
    • Free trial
    EN
    • FR
    • DE
    ✕

    Differences between aerobic and anaerobic training

    27th October 2021
    aerobic and anaerobic training

    Knowledge is power and also the key to a more powerful body. Understanding the difference between aerobic and anaerobic training can help you make more informed decisions on the best kinds of training for your body and goals. You might even choose a combination of both training styles. Let’s see, shall we?

    What is aerobic training?

    The word aerobic tends to invoke images of spandex-clad women star-jumping to 80s music – which is perhaps why the term’s true meaning has become muddled.

    Aerobic actually means with air, and refers to a state where your body produces energy WITH the use of oxygen. It’s generally used to refer to any exercise that lasts longer than a couple of minutes in duration. The exercise doesn’t need to be vigorous – in fact, most vigorous exercises are actually anaerobic, which we’ll look at next.

    What is anaerobic training?

    As the opposite of aerobic, anaerobic training means ‘without air’. This doesn’t mean you lose or hold your breath during the exercise! Put simply, it just means that the cellular tissues in your body produce energy without a supply of oxygen to them.

    You may well be breathing more heavily, though – anaerobic training refers to exercises that require higher levels of effort and intensity (looking at you, HIIT and Tabata). Basically, any exercise where you use between 80-90% of your maximum heart rate and feel your muscles burn is anaerobic. That ‘burn’ is the feeling of lactic acid building up to provide you with more energy, maintaining your hard efforts during a workout.

    Trial

    Types of aerobic and anaerobic exercises

    Typically, most aerobic exercises are what we know as ‘cardio’. They include jogging, swimming, cycling, and classes such as Zumba or kickboxing. On the more intense side is anaerobic training: think high-intensity interval training, heavy weightlifting, sprinting, and calisthenics like plyometrics or explosive jump squats.

    What’s best for me: aerobic or anaerobic training?

    Each style of training comes with its own benefits. Think about your fitness goals: are you looking to build endurance, running or swimming longer distances with progressive respiratory function? Maybe you wish to lower your risk of heart disease by normalising your blood pressure? Aerobic training is best for you – it’ll allow you to train harder as your lungs become stronger. Or, perhaps you’ve already achieved a solid level of aerobic fitness and are ready to take your functional training up a level? Blast more fat, boost your metabolism, get faster and stronger, with more muscle mass and joint strength? Anaerobic exercise is your friend.

    Can you mix up aerobic and anaerobic training?

    Absolutely. Depending on the level of effort you put into an exercise, many physical activities include a mix of both anaerobic and aerobic training. Consider hybrid cardio or tennis. A casual game might include a slow build-up of serving and volleying, which is mostly aerobic. However, there may be very fast, short bouts of volleying, using explosive power to dash around the court. This is anaerobic activity – intense effort in one quick blast.

    Likewise, head to a spinning class and you’ll generally experience aerobic activity. But dial up the resistance level for a minute or two and you’ll feel the burn in your thighs similar to weight training – hello, anaerobic training!

    Now that you know the difference between aerobic and anaerobic training, you (hopefully) have a better idea of the types of activity you need to progress with your fitness goals. Time to hit the gym! 

    Instagram Follow EVO Fitness
    Share
    0

    Recent Posts

    back to the gym
    30th August 2023

    3 tips to get back to the gym after a vacation


    Read more
    hydration in fitness
    23rd August 2023

    The importance of proper hydration in fitness


    Read more
    upper body workout
    21st August 2023

    Workout of the week: 20-min upper body workout


    Read more

    Recent Posts

    • 3 tips to get back to the gym after a vacation

      3 tips to get back to the gym after a vacation

      30th August 2023
    • The importance of proper hydration in fitness

      The importance of proper hydration in fitness

      23rd August 2023
    • Workout of the week: 20-min upper body workout

      Workout of the week: 20-min upper body workout

      21st August 2023
    • 4 benefits of training in the heat

      4 benefits of training in the heat

      16th August 2023
    • Workout of the week: 30-min AMRAP workout for strength 

      Workout of the week: 30-min AMRAP workout for strength 

      14th August 2023

    EVO SWITZERLAND

    Address of Central Office
    Lifestyle Concept AG
    EVO Fitness Switzerland
    Seestrasse 97, CH-8942 Oberrieden
    Email French Area: [email protected]
    Email German Area: [email protected]

    MEMBERS

    • MyEVO
    • FAQ
    • Insurance refund
    • Careers
    • Contact Us

    DON’T MISS OUT ON OUR NEWS!

    Subscribe to EVO's Newsletter full of training tips, workout plans, event invitations and exclusive offers.

    I agree to the processing and storage of my personal data in order to receive EVO’s communications.

    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

    © EVO Fitness, All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy
    EN
    • EN
    • FR
    • DE
    • MyEVO
    • FAQ
    • Insurance refund
    • Careers
    • Contact Us