Expert: Linda Erwin, M.S. - 3/10/2007

Question
I am doing a report for school on Jack LaLanne. In the books I found, there is a part on jumping jacks. It says that this is a total-body aerobic exercise. I have been doing them for 3 days now. I think it is a good aerobic exercise; I am breathing fast and I really feel my heart pumping. Can you tell me what this exercise does when you do it? I mean, does it work the entire body aerobically?

Thanks.

Answer
Hi Michelle,
Jumping Jacks gets your heart rate up and works your heart and lungs and burns fat and calories.  Because it is weight bearing, you also build up your bones.  If you do them for any length of time you could get injured by just doing the same repetitive move.  I suggest you do jumping jacks, jog in place or move forward or backwards, or jog outside.  Being an aerobic exercise just means that you can do continuous exercise at a level where your heart rate is up but you can continue for a long length of time.  Being anaerobic means that you are sprinting and can't keep up that pace.
I hope that helps.
Linda