Exercises That Help Build Endurance
By Genevieve Cunningham
When it comes to exercise, endurance is where it's at. Without stamina, you can't work out for any significant amount of time. Every part of your fitness life suffers when you don't have enough energy to keep going. But how do you build this? How do you maintain momentum and last longer? If you need a little bit more endurance to help you make gains in fitness, take a look at these exercises that are geared to build more stamina.
Running
Let's get the most obvious out of the way first. Running is made to build endurance. It's tough. It requires use of every muscle in the body, and it also forces your lungs to breathe in more oxygen. The first time that you run, you may notice that you can’t go very far. But over time, you'll be able to run farther and farther. Start out slowly so that you don't burn yourself out, and before long you'll have built enough endurance to exercise in whatever way you wish.
Swimming
If you really hate running, as many people do, another great option is to take up swimming. Swimming is a bit more gentle, especially on the joints. But it still requires every muscle in the body to work, and it is definitely a workout for your lungs. Find a local pool, brush up on a few strokes, and do some laps. If you haven't been swimming in a while, you may be surprised at just how exhausting it really is. But give it some time. Soon you'll develop stamina, and you'll be able to swim for longer without that exhausted feeling following you around all day.
Aerobics
If you need something that's a little more fun, try aerobics. There are multiple kinds of aerobics to choose from, such as power pump, step aerobics, and floor exercise. Each kind of aerobics offers something different and can work the body in different ways. Aerobics is made to help you build endurance. Start with something easy, use the modifications when needed, and don't give up. Then slowly work toward harder aerobics classes with very few breaks, and build a strong stamina foundation for future exercise.
If you're going to work out seriously, you really should develop some endurance. Without it you won't be able to build the body of your dreams. Use these exercises to help you build up your stamina, and then take what you've learned and apply it to your favorite fitness routines in the future.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in San Clemente, Calif.
