Definition of Exercise

While asking about the definition of exercise may sound silly at first, once you really start to think about it, the definition is complex. Exercise types include cardio, weight-bearing, fat-burning, weight loss and muscle-building techniques. Of course, most types of exercise will have the end result of helping you lose weight, but that doesn't mean that they'll be technically titled as weight-loss exercises. Sorting out this picture means taking a closer look at the definition of exercise.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary online defines exercise in the following way: "bodily exertion for the sake of developing and maintaining physical fitness". Though there are many other definitions of the word exercise in the Merriam-Webster, this is the definition that pertains to physical exercise for the sake of pursuing and maintaining a fit body. People exercise for the sake of the physical, as well as the mental, well-being of the body. Physical fitness affects all aspects of human life, not just the size of one's muscles or the speed at which one can run.

A similar definition comes from the Free Dictionary Online: "activity that requires physical or mental exertion, especially when performed to develop or maintain fitness". This definition highlights the fact that exercising can be mental as well as physical. One can exercise the brain by doing crossword puzzles, playing Sudoku, or memorizing phone numbers. Despite this, the most common definition refers to physical exercise of the body's muscles.

If the term is reduced to the physical sense, what exactly is exercise and what is not?

In a technical sense, exercising means burning calories. However, sleeping causes all living organisms to burn off energy (calories), so does that mean that sleep is exercise? Unfortunately, while the body is, indeed, burning calories while sleeping, eating, or watching TV, none of these are exercise, nor can they be counted towards the goal of 30 minutes of exercise per day.

While eating and sleeping are not exercise, there are several things that we do on a regular basis (or should do on a regular basis) that can be considered exercise because they provide a workout for one or several of the body's muscles.

Walking anywhere, whether on a flat surface or up flights of stairs, is exercise. Biking to work, cleaning your house and carrying groceries in from the car are all exercise. Shoveling snow, mowing the lawn and cutting wood are even more beneficial as far as everyday exercise goes.

Don't forget that the heart is the body's most essential muscle. Working this muscle out through cardio exercise is one of the most crucial of all exercise types.

Cardio is exercise that increases your heart rate. Increasing your heart rate increases your calorie consumption, which makes you lose weight and increase your metabolism. Not only is cardio exercise great for loosing weight, it's also essential to your complete health. Frequent exercise and eating a heart-healthy diet keep a heart healthy.

If you want to build up your musculature, strength training is the type of exercise that you need to do. Strength training can be done by lifting weights, using resistance bands, or using your own body weight as resistance.

Some of the best exercising is combining cardio and strength elements in, for example, an interval workout. Alternatively, do cardio one day and strength the next day so that you get both types of exercise. A healthy, fit body comes from varied, frequent exercise. You don't have to be a tri-athlete to be in good shape; moderate daily exercise will suffice.

As you become more familiar with the various designations that refer to different types of exercise, don't get too hung up on the technicalities of what should (theoretically) burn fat and what won't. The bottom line of exercise is to burn more calories than you eat in a day and to keep your muscles toned (not taut). Lastly, don't forget that your heart is a crucial muscle.

You don't have to do a workout equivalent to boot camp to call it exercise; a moderate daily workout will do the trick. What's more, a plan you can stick with is much more effective than one that is so difficult that you only do it once or twice before throwing in the towel. Exercise can be fun and healthy if you choose the right form and intensity of exercise for yourself.

• Pictures of People Exercising
• Women Fitness Models
• Male Fitness Model

• Breast Lifting Exercise
• Contour Abs
• Naked Exercise
• Naked Pilates
• Hula Hoop Exercises

• Chest Fly Workouts
• Glider Workout Equipment
• Examples of Aerobic Exercise
• Category:About Physical Fitness
• Beginner Exercise Program