Perhaps cardiovascular fitness is then desired. Realize that the only efficient route to working the vascular system is to find the best method to strengthen the muscles. The vascular system exists primarily to service the muscles. Improved muscular strength should strongly correlate with improved vascular efficiency.

The fourth factor is enhanced flexibility. Note that I am careful not to say "increased flexibility." Increased flexibility is contraindicated for many people. And enhanced flexibility may indeed mean less flexibility in some cases.

The next factor is a contribution to body leanness. Many people exercise with the mistaken belief that exercise burns a significant number of extra calories. One pound of human fat can support the energy demands of running 35-45 miles, probably more. This would require the average man to run for 6-8 hours. He would burn the calories he could easily ingest in as many minutes. If one exercises only to burn extra calories his time is not worth much.

Many charts and computer programs in aerobic equipment suggest that hundreds of calories are burned as a result of their respective activities. These references fail to distinguish between the number of calories expended during the activity AND the EXTRA calories expended as a result of the activity. Realize that to assess this you must first subtract out the calories you would have burned as a result of your typical daily routine without the respective activity.

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