Aerobic exercise is any sustained physical activity that raises your heart rate and challenges your cardiovascular system, including walking, swimming, cycling, and dancing.
What it means to exercise aerobically — and why it matters for your body
The word aerobic means "with oxygen" — and exercising aerobically simply means moving for long enough that your body relies on oxygen to produce energy. That includes a wide range of activities, from a brisk walk to a long swim, and doesn't require high intensity to be effective.
For most people, the goal is to find a pace where you're breathing harder than normal but can still hold a conversation. Done consistently, aerobic exercise strengthens your heart, improves circulation, supports a healthy weight, and helps reduce inflammation — all of which matter for how your muscles and joints feel day to day.
How Sword Health can help
If pain or injury has made it hard to stay active, a physical therapist can help you find forms of aerobic exercise that work for your body right now — not just what worked before. Sword makes it easy to get that guidance from home, so you can build a sustainable routine without aggravating what's already bothering you.
About the author
Carolina Moreira
Medical Director of Clinical Development at Sword Health
