Get in shape with Aerobics

Aerobics is fun, and a great way to meet new people and stay in shape. Aerobic exercise has many benefits to your health and has been shown to help increase energy levels, boost metabolism and contribute to weight loss when combined with good nutrition.

Here are some aerobics tips that I've learned from years of aerobics:

1) Finding the right Aerobics Class for you

Find a challenging aerobics class that you enjoy. This is important, if you enjoy the class, you will have a better chance of sticking to it. Try out several gyms in your area until you find a class you like.

2) Concentrate on the process, not the result

Concentrate on the process, not the end result. Don't make it your goal to "lose weight". Losing weight will happen, while you're enjoying the class. Concentrate on the class, and have fun. The best way to stay fit for life is to find a hobby, like Aerobics, that you enjoy, and getting in shape and losing weight will just happen.

3) Set realistic Goals

Set realistic goals for yourself. At first, make it your goal to just get through the class without giving up or leaving early. Once you accomplish that, make it your goal to do the class without stopping or taking breaks. Next make it your goal to master the moves.

4) Move closer to the front

As you get better at the aerobics class, move yourself closer to the front. People in the front rows of the aerobics class report that they get a better workout while being in the front. The reason is that they're more visable there and have more pressure to perform; and since they may also be right in front of a mirror, they can see what they're doing, so it's easier for them to improve and perfect their movements.

5) Alternate your Aerobics class

Alternate your aerobics classes. Do a cardio aerobics class 2-3 times a week. Do a weight training aerobics class 1-2 times a week. You would be surprised at how effective this routine is at losing weight. When I do this, I see a difference in my body right away. If you can find several aerobics classes you like, even better. The variety will keep you interested.

6) How often to do Aerobics

As far as how often to do the class, make it your goal to do some kind of aerobics class 2-4 times a week. If you miss a day, or a week, or even a month, don't let that cause you to quit. So many people make commitments to their routines and then when they miss a day they get discouraged and quit. Don't let this happen to you. Getting fit happens by staying consistent, but missing classes now and then doesn't hurt.

7) Don't overdo it

Don't overdo it. Overdoing it, will not result in weight loss, and will only make you tired. When I go to the gym, I only go for 1 to 1.5 hours, whether I lift weights, do aerobics, use one of the machines, or swim in the pool. Anything more than that is overkill. I would not do more than one aerobics class in a day, and I would also not engage in other activities after the class. I have seen girls who, after an hour of high impact aerobics, will go to the weight room and lift weights, or go to a second aerobics class, or take an hour swim in the pool. If you do this because you want to...okay, but don't push yourself to overdo because you feel you have to. I think this is counter-productive, and can increase your chances of injury or burn-out.

8) Make time for Aerobics

Make time for you. Your aerobics class is "You" time. It's time for you to improve your health and well being, and reduce stress. You will feel better about yourself when the class is over, and you will be more productive in other areas of your life when you are getting regular exercise. YOU are very important. Don't get too busy and miss the class. Other stuff in your life can wait. Your aerobics class may be the most important thing you do all day. Make it a priority.

9) Sexy Aerobics outfit

Get a sexy aerobics outfit that makes you feel good and makes you feel sexy. This works wonders for me. Just putting on my outfit, gets me motivated. The girls in my class wear fashionable aerobics outfits, and they are always getting new ones. The most popular brands are: Bia Brazil, Brazil Sul, and Margarita. These brands are only available online.

Don't worry if you don't have a perfect body. I used to stress about wearing spandex and I wanted to hide my body. But then I looked around and realized that people much bigger than me were wearing spandex and they looked great, no matter what their size. I think everyone can look sexy in aerobics clothes and can look great while doing aerobics and working out.

10) Keep your eyes off the clock

Don't constantly look at your watch or the clock. This makes the class feel like it goes on forever. Focus on the music and what you are doing right now. Don't think about how long it is or how much time you have left. Get into what you are doing and enjoy it.

11) Don't leave early

Try never to leave the class early. If you get tired, slow down and take it easier, take a short rest, get a drink of water. Once you catch your breath, get back in there. If you're still winded, slow down, don't kick so high, and keep your arms lower than your heart or shoulders until you catch up. If necessary, stay in the back of the class so you don't feel pressure to keep up with everyone else.

12) Don't eat right before class

Don't eat 2-3 hours before the aerobics class. If you eat within 2 hours before the class, it can make you feel sick when you are jumping up and down, and you will have less energy. Your body can't concentrate on exercise if it's working on digestion. I try not to eat anything after 1:00pm on the days of my 5:30 aerobics class. I've noticed that when I drink tea 2 hours before my aerobics class, I have more energy and seem to perform better, however I don't make a practice of this and don't necessarily recommend it.

13) The best time of the day for Aerobics

They say that exercising in the morning before you eat breakfast is the best time to do aerobics. However, I find that when I do aerobics early on Saturday mornings before I eat, I feel a little light headed. I try to get up several hours before the class so I can have a chance to eat a light breakfast. Also, things I ate the night before can affect my performance when doing an early aerobics class. For instance, if I drank pop or alcohol before I went to bed, this can have a negative effect on my ability to do aerobics the next morning. Some people in my class go out on Friday nights and complain about their hangover in class on Saturday morning. I have never done a class on "the morning after" but imagine working out with a hangover head would not be pleasant.

14) Drink water

Drink plenty of water in your diet. Some people drink water during and before the class, but for me, that just ends up filling up my stomach and I don't like feeling the water sloshing around when I'm jumping up and down. I drink water after the class.


If you are consistent with your aerobics class, you will receive the following benefits: you will be more in shape, stronger, more flexible, and you will lose weight. If you don't experience any of these benefits within 6 months, then you may need to find a more difficult class, or you may need to change your eating habits. This doesn't mean you need to starve yourself...in fact you should be eating 3 good meals a day and you can have snacks. But you may need to eliminate some foods like pop, chips, candy and things with empty calories that you might eat a lot of but that don't fill you up. Doing your own cooking is usually healthier then eating out.

I have noticed some women in my aerobics class workout all the time, but never lose weight. This may be explained by their eating habits. If they were eating better, they would lose weight with all the aerobics they do. They look good though, and likely feel good too, because of the exercise.