Types of Aerobics Classes

Aerobics classes consist of high-energy exercises set to music. A qualified aerobics instructor will lead the class through various structured exercises that will raise your heart beat and promote blood and oxygen flow through your body. Aerobics classes often include some anaerobic exercises such as warm-up procedures and post-cardio exercises. Choose the right aerobics class for your level of fitness to avoid injuries or overexertion. Aerobics classes are usually offered for beginner, intermediate and advanced fitness levels.

  1. High Impact Aerobics

    • High impact aerobics exercises are set to music with between 135 and 160 beats per minute. Focus is on moves that make use of large muscles to propel your body up into the air and both feet leaving the floor. Exercises such as jogging, hops, jumping jacks and traveling kicks are typical.

    Low Impact Aerobics

    • Low impact aerobic classes are ideal for people who can't perform intense workouts. They're set to music of between 133 and 148 beats per minute. Rhythmic movements still make use of the large muscles, but will stay low to the ground. Exercises may include walking, lunges, side jacks, step touches, marching and heels-up.

      Low impact aerobics classes won't give you a vigorous workout, but will certainly enhance muscle tone, elasticity and general health.

    Dance Aerobics

    • During aerobic dance classes the instructor will integrate exercise and dance movements into choreographed routines. Dance styles such as ballet, jazz and disco may be utilized in low impact dance aerobics. Country line dancing, hip-hop and salsa styles may be included in high impact dance aerobics exercises.

    Water Aerobics

    • Water aerobic classes are considered a cooler way to exercise during the hot summer months and are often recommended to arthritis patients. Water aerobics offer a total workout and enable the body to burn calories with less strain to the joints than many other workout methods. Half an hour of water aerobic exercises is said to burn around 300 calories. Exercises may include running, jogging and walking underwater in a swimming pool. Warm-up and cool-down exercises are usually included in water aerobics classes, and rhythmic breathing will be practiced.

    Step Aerobics

    • Step aerobics classes involve exercises that incorporate up and down movements on a step. Exercises may include basic steps, turn steps, v-steps, lunges and knee lifts. Variations to step classes are known as Super Step aerobics (faster tempo with half-time power moves) and Interval aerobics (combination of regular aerobics and step aerobics).

      The platform or step used by beginners is four inches high, and it is possible to add height to the step as your level of fitness increases. Focus will be on posture and form while stepping, to ensure the correct muscles are used. People with knee or ankle problems should avoid step aerobics as it involves quite a lot of impact on your joints.

    Aerobic Kickboxing

    • Aerobic kickboxing, also known as cardio boxing or boxing aerobics, is used to tone and tighten your muscles. Moves consist of kicks and punches, and both high and low impact exercises are incorporated.