What's the Difference Between Anaerobic and Aerobic Training?

Anaerobic and aerobic training differ significantly not only in the type of exercises involved and the benefits obtained, but also in the biological processes that enable them to be performed. Following is a brief explanation of the metabolic activity involved.

Aerobic Metabolism

Oxygen combines with carbohydrates, fats and protein in the cells to produce the chemical reaction that supplies the energy needed by the muscles for aerobic exercises, also known as endurance exercises.

Anaerobic Metabolism

The chemical reaction that occurs in anaerobic metabolism, or glycolysis, does not require oxygen to produce energy. Using only carbohydrates, anaerobic metabolism fuels the muscles for the bursts of energy needed to perform exercises that do not require oxygen for endurance but do require muscle strength.

Aerobic Training

Aerobic exercise includes bicycling, dancing, jogging, swimming, walking and any form of continuous exercise that increases your need for oxygen and raises your heart rate.

Anaerobic Training

Anaerobic exercise is usually performed in sets requiring intense bursts of energy as in weight lifting and the various forms of strength training.

Benefits

Aerobic exercises increase endurance, energy and stamina, burn calories for weight loss, and may be recommended by a physician to prevent or manage high blood pressure and regulate cholesterol in addition to providing improvement for heart disease, asthma, allergies, depression, insomnia, back pain, arthritis and numerous other health problems. Anaerobic exercises increase muscle mass and strength, and decrease body fat.

Resources

• The difference between aerobic and anaerobic exercises
• Aerobic vs. anaerobic
• Overview of aerobic exercise with slide show