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Dance your way to health

If done the right way, aerobics would help burn fat and reduce stress

Aerobics derives from modern dance, and you'd think that stuff people have been known to do in high heels would not require shoes. But it does. Done properly, aerobics strengthens the heart, burns fat, tones muscles and reduces stress. Aerobics done incorrectly or without the right footwear can cause serious musculoskeletal problems. For example, aerobics instructors are at great risk for stress fractures, Achilles tendon tears and calf injuries, shin splints and foot arch inflammation. Foot care is the most important part of safe aerobics. Running shoes, even if they cost a fortune, are not the right shoes for aerobics. Feet suffer six times the weight of the body in impacts during aerobics, and aerobics shoes must have sufficient cushioning to compensate for these blows.

The shoes must have an arch design that provides sideways stability: this is a feature that ordinary running shoes lack. The shoes must possess high placed straps or leather supports, and the heel box must be spacious enough to prevent toe and nail injuries. The floor is another critical safety factor: carpeted wooden floors are the best; wooden floors come at a premium, so thick carpets will have to do in most cases. But never ever jump around on cement, tile or stone floors. Doing aerobics at home can be dangerous: leaping and twisting movements can result in serious injury, especially when there is no one around to give first aid. Do conditioning exercises for a couple of weeks before taking up aerobics. Otherwise, you will spend a few days stiffened up in bed, with every tiny movement causing agony. Do aerobics exercises twice a week for several weeks before doing them more frequently. Do stretches and warm-ups seriously: torn ligaments and muscles are the result of exercising with stiff muscles. Do cool-down exercise for a few minutes afterwards: this will burn off excess lactic acid and prevent the pooling of blood in the lower limbs.

RAJIV M

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