There are basically two types of exercise, aerobic and anaerobic. Aerobic exercise consists of exercises that cause you to be “out of breath” so that you breathe more deeply to replenish the depleted oxygen levels back into the blood. This type of exercise works the lungs harder, speeds the heart rate and burns fat more efficiently. Aerobic exercise consists of running, jogging, cycling, swimming and fast walking.
Anaerobic exercise is just the opposite of aerobic exercise. This type of exercise does not make you give out of breath or make you “huff and puff” when done. This would consist of weightlifting, slow walking, etc. As previously stated, anaerobic exercise does not burn fat as fast as aerobic exercise but it does help to speed the metabolism, which will in turn burn calories even when the body is at rest. This type of exercise will assist in building muscle mass and giving the body a tighter, more fit look.
Aerobics requires carbohydrates as fuel for the energy expended. However, if the needed carbohydrates are not available, the body will use stored fat to provide the energy necessary. This is why aerobic exercise causes rapid weight loss.
Anaerobic exercise is generally fueled by carbohydrates within the body and not as much by stored fat, hence less of a weight loss effect. The big benefit is the increased metabolic rate to burn off excess calories even while a person is sleeping.