What is the Difference Between Aerobic and Anaerobic Exercise?

You may have heard the terms aerobic and anaerobic. But what do they actually mean? What are the key differences between these two types of exercise?

Aerobic Exercise

Aerobic exercise refers to the type of exercise that requires oxygen. In other words, any exercise that lasts for more than one minute will be aerobic. For example, long-distance running or endurance-focused resistance training are forms of aerobic exercise.

This is because your cells require oxygen to function and create energy that your cardiac and skeletal muscles require to contract and relax during your workout. Without this oxygen, you would quickly run out of energy.

Aerobic exercise can increase good cholesterol and decrease cholesterol in your blood. It improves stamina, mood, immunity, and sleep quality, and it reduces your blood pressure.

Anaerobic Exercise

Anaerobic exercise is the opposite. It doesn’t require oxygen. This type of exercise lasts up to 60 seconds.

For example, sprinting or power-focused resistance training are both anaerobic forms of exercise. You perform sprints in under a minute (usually between 10-30 seconds) and you technically don’t need to take in any additional oxygen during this short time.

Anaerobic exercise is ideal if you want to build or maintain muscle mass while working on your cardiovascular health.