By: Alicia Weber

In 2011, I did an extensive aerobic study on 30 people age ranging from 25-75 years old and both male and female. The goal of the study was to find the Top 4 Aerobic Exercises that produced the greatest gains in aerobic capacity wellness. Aerobic Capacity Wellness refers to the person’s peak capability for delivering oxygen to the muscles and how long they can hold at that peak speed. The higher your aerobic capacity, then the higher your ability to utilize oxygen and the higher your cardiovascular fitness levels.

In this study, there were 4 exercises that stood out from the hundreds performed. The 4 exercises were considered the most beneficial, challenging, and effective movements for increasing aerobic capacity wellness.

Now, these participants in this study performed rep based exercises that never exceeded 50 reps at a time. Although they normally performed 30-60 second all out bouts. I would describe their fitness levels as beginner to intermediate. All fitness levels greatly improved aerobic capacity wellness as well as toned and firmed their bodies.

The Top 4 Exercises with the greatest benefits for increasing aerobic capacity wellness (from 1 least challenging to 4 most challenging of the Top 4 Exercises discovered among hundreds) are the following:
1. Pushup Burpees with jump and overhead clap
2. Deep Squats with arms held out
3. Leaping mountain climbers
4. 1 leg Pushup Burpees with jump and overhead clap

Being a multi-exercise world record holder, the challenge was to stack these exercises for a total 400 reps, which would turn the routine into a speed-endurance exercise as I push for the fastest time with strict form and maintain a heart rate at peak speed. I call the event the 400 Rep Aerobic Capacity Wellness Challenge and I set the world record with Recordsetter! I set 205 world records in 2012 covering total body fitness and this 400 rep world record had my pulse reaching the highest maximum heart rate and it held it the longest (180 BPM for over 20 minutes, which is approx 95% of my maximum heart rate). No other record that I set produced these kinds of results, especially for an over 20 minute duration! So without a doubt, it is the most aerobic challenge record.

Alicia’s 2013 Valentine Day Heart Strength Test – 400 Rep Aerobic Capacity Wellness Test and NEW Record!

One year later, I have broken the 400 rep Aerobic Capacity Wellness Challenge Record by 32 seconds on Valentine’s Day 2013 where I celebrated by testing my heart strength! I once again kept my pulse at 95% of my maximum heart rate for over 20 minutes.

I would call my 2011 Aerobic Study a Success for the participants and myself. Remember to get in your Cardio Workout and have a strong heart not only on Valentine’s Day, but everyday year round!