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6/26/06
Exercise terms are confusing. Experts say a good routine includes a mix of aerobic, flexibility, and strength training. Here's a cheat sheet for novices:
Aerobic: Activity that continuously uses large muscle groups for sustained periods of time and ups your heart rate. Examples: skiing, swimming, biking, walking the dog, or doing the conga.
Flexibility: Exercises that increase the range of motion in a joint or body part. Examples: stretching, Pilates, yoga.
Functional fitness: Exercises that help in performing daily tasks. Can be a mix of aerobic, flexibility, and strength training. Examples: standing on one leg to improve balance, stretches to help with reach.
Non-weight bearing: Aerobic exercises that don't load the direct weight of your body on the skeleton. Examples: swimming, cycling, rowing.
Strength or resistance training: Exercises using weight to repetitively work both large and small muscles. Examples: lifting free weights like barbells, using weight machines, doing push-ups.
Weight bearing: Aerobic exercises that directly load your body weight on the bones. Examples: running, skipping, basketball.
The CDC provides more information on physical activity at www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa.
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