# What is aerobics and why are the classes filled with almost all girls? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 19, 2014, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-aerobics-and-why-are-the-classes-filled-with-almost-all-girls/707662 "2014-12-19T14:04:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![R3d\_Anonymous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/aeb1de/32.png) [@R3d\_Anonymous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R3d_Anonymous)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2014, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-aerobics-and-why-are-the-classes-filled-with-almost-all-girls/707662/1 "2014-12-19T14:04:27Z")
They were telling us about classes we can take next year and one of the options was aerobics. I actually saw a couple aerobics classes side by aide to our gym class and it looked cool (I saw my unrequited love taking it). However I noticed that there were no guys and the gym teacher told me that they have one guy in one class taking it. Hey, that can be a good thing, if you know what I mean. 😉 Anyway, what is aerobics and why are classes almost fully filled with girls? ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2014, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-aerobics-and-why-are-the-classes-filled-with-almost-all-girls/707662/2 "2014-12-19T14:15:37Z")
Take the class, many of the chicks will be hot and the ones who may not be you will watch some lose weight and be there to celebrate with them individually when they reach their goal if you know what I mean. Oh you wanted to why it is mostly a girl thing. As I recall it was started as a way for women to tone up without having to go to the male gym and be gawked at. So they based it on music and dance moves and held it in a separate place where the women could be comfortable and safe from the perverts like me. But I joined anyway and found it to be a great way to exercise although I mostly do water aerobics now. Wet chicks in bathing suits. 😉 And it’s a great cardiovascular workout. Gets the blood moving, increases your endurance and can help make you more flexible and coordinated. That and there are chicks there. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2014, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-aerobics-and-why-are-the-classes-filled-with-almost-all-girls/707662/3 "2014-12-19T14:34:29Z")
Most girls are afraid of weights. They think they are going to get huge muscles if they even look at a weight, so they do Aerobics instead. ---
**Author:** ![leahcim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@leahcim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leahcim)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2014, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-aerobics-and-why-are-the-classes-filled-with-almost-all-girls/707662/4 "2014-12-19T14:55:49Z")
I’ve found that most “class” exercise schemes tend to be female-dominated, while “sports” tend the be male dominated. Just part of the culture, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2014, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-aerobics-and-why-are-the-classes-filled-with-almost-all-girls/707662/5 "2014-12-19T15:01:24Z")
And simply marketing. Are aerobic classes damn good work outs? I am sure. But they are _packaged_ to appeal to the female population in the more stereotypical female sense. Male version is “boot camp” which is essentially the same thing with a different skin (call it “strength” rather than “toning” and give it a military facade, throwing in some more “manly” versions of the exercises) … and which of course also appeals to a lot of females - the same ones who rolled their eyes at the need for pink Legos. ---
**Author:** ![Zorkmid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e68b1a/32.png) [@Zorkmid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zorkmid)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2014, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-aerobics-and-why-are-the-classes-filled-with-almost-all-girls/707662/6 "2014-12-19T15:06:30Z")
> [@R3d\_Anonymous](#): > > They were telling us about classes we can take next year and one of the options was aerobics. I actually saw a couple aerobics classes side by aide to our gym class and it looked cool (I saw my unrequited love taking it). However I noticed that there were no guys and the gym teacher told me that they have one guy in one class taking it. > > Hey, that can be a good thing, if you know what I mean. 😉 > > Anyway, what is aerobics and why are classes almost fully filled with girls? Teenage boy, am I right? 😃 The workouts are meant to boost your heart rate up to an effective level and keep it there long enough to be beneficial, to strengthen your cardiovascular system and burn fat. A lot of boys probably don’t go for it because it’s not as “manly” as team sports and weight training, but that’s a dumb reason not to go for it if you’re interested. ---
**Author:** ![R3d\_Anonymous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/aeb1de/32.png) [@R3d\_Anonymous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R3d_Anonymous)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2014, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-aerobics-and-why-are-the-classes-filled-with-almost-all-girls/707662/7 "2014-12-19T15:09:23Z")
Yep, I am a teenage guy turning 17 next month. The class sounds cool. I think I’ll take it next year. Also, none of the other choices really pique my interest so… ---
**Author:** ![Donnerwetter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2014, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-aerobics-and-why-are-the-classes-filled-with-almost-all-girls/707662/8 "2014-12-19T15:13:08Z")
> [@R3d\_Anonymous](#): > > Anyway, **what is aerobics** and why are classes almost fully filled with girls? I feel really old when I read this question … 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Kelby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a587f6/32.png) [@Kelby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kelby)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2014, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-aerobics-and-why-are-the-classes-filled-with-almost-all-girls/707662/9 "2014-12-19T15:15:55Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > And simply marketing. > > Are aerobic classes damn good work outs? I am sure. But they are _packaged_ to appeal to the female population in the more stereotypical female sense. > > Male version is “boot camp” which is essentially the same thing with a different skin (call it “strength” rather than “toning” and give it a military facade, throwing in some more “manly” versions of the exercises) … and which of course also appeals to a lot of females - the same ones who rolled their eyes at the need for pink Legos. Isn’t there usually dance music with aerobics, which probably appeals more to the fairer sex? ---
**Author:** ![mind\_the\_gap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea666f/32.png) [@mind\_the\_gap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mind_the_gap)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2014, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-aerobics-and-why-are-the-classes-filled-with-almost-all-girls/707662/10 "2014-12-19T15:19:42Z")
Aerobics were, IIRC, started by a Royal Canadian Air Force guy named Kenneth Cooper. They were designed to push your body into an area of fitness that had not been considered important at that point. Done right, in a low impact way, I don’t think a better path to fitness exists. When I rode off road motorcycles often, my training consisted of riding my mountain bike, aerobics and actual practice at riding the motorcycle. Some of my buddies teased my about taking aerobics “It’s a chick thing” and so on. I challenged them to take a class and see if they could even finish the class. No takers. The payoff was in the desert on Saturdays. After a hard fast 90 mile loop, their tongues were hanging out and they were ready to sit on the tailgate and drink beer. I was ready for another loop. Aerobics helped my fitness, my flexibility, and my ability to recover after rides. It also helped my reflexes and timing due to the “dance move” nature of the exercises. DO NOT hit on the women in the class. LEARN from the regulars, make all the classes and learn the moves and timing. Your body will hurt, a lot, at first but once you get it down you will enjoy it. Take the class and laugh at the nonbelievers. mind the gap ---
**Author:** ![Doughbag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Doughbag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doughbag)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2014, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-aerobics-and-why-are-the-classes-filled-with-almost-all-girls/707662/11 "2014-12-19T15:26:08Z")
Here’s an “educational” [Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVRAmcRJ41g)😃 It’s basically exercising and stretching while sort of dancing - it’s sold as a fun way of loosing a few extra pounds while having a good time with your friends and [gained popularity in the 80’s](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerobics) with all these fitness videos by Jane Fonda, Cher, etc… … as a guy, you call it a “[cardio](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerobic_exercise)” workout ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2014, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-aerobics-and-why-are-the-classes-filled-with-almost-all-girls/707662/12 "2014-12-19T15:31:12Z")
[Wikipedia on **aerobic exercise**](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerobic_exercise) As I understand it, “aerobics” (as in “aerobics class”) is a specific type of aerobic exercise, as contrasted with anaerobic exercise. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2014, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-aerobics-and-why-are-the-classes-filled-with-almost-all-girls/707662/13 "2014-12-19T15:32:12Z")
> [@mind\_the\_gap](#): > > DO NOT hit on the women in the class. > > mind the gap Right. Let the girls hit on you. If they see you taking it seriously they most definitely will. Oh and the first class I took I immediately went outside and threw up because it was so intense. Be sure to take some water to the class or you will dehydrate. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2014, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-aerobics-and-why-are-the-classes-filled-with-almost-all-girls/707662/14 "2014-12-19T15:33:26Z")
[What you might see in a typical aerobics class.](https://www.google.com/search?q=1980%27s+workout+outfit&tbm=isch&imgil=KVFKiBpdzMa0QM%253A%253BnFPSP-944oVCkM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Funderscoopfire.com%25252F80s-workout-outfits%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=KVFKiBpdzMa0QM%253A%252CnFPSP-944oVCkM%252C_&usg=__Ru1AcedBEzfPKleb_dMYMx9CSXo%3D&biw=1156&bih=722&ved=0CC0Qyjc&ei=gESUVIqxFuL-sASBzIDwDg#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=VhDPltlzHalcXM%253A%3B6o8en3i85g9roM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fcommitnesstofitness.com%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2013%252F03%252F80s.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fcommitnesstofitness.com%252F2013%252F03%252F21%252Fbad-workout-outfit-workoutfit%252F%3B394%3B451) ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2014, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-aerobics-and-why-are-the-classes-filled-with-almost-all-girls/707662/15 "2014-12-19T15:49:40Z")
Aerobics is kind of like dancing, and many (most) men wouldn’t be caught dead or alive dancing. It’s a great workout though better than anything else. Back in the day when I was a complete workout freak I did the weight machines three days a week and aerobics the other three days (rested Sunday). The nautilus weight machines are real good, _but aerobics are five times as good (imo)_. In fact I would say that aerobics got me in better shape than any other exercise routine I ever tried ever. ---
**Author:** ![Doughbag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Doughbag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doughbag)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2014, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-aerobics-and-why-are-the-classes-filled-with-almost-all-girls/707662/16 "2014-12-19T15:50:41Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > [What you might see in a typical aerobics class.](https://www.google.com/search?q=1980%27s+workout+outfit&tbm=isch&imgil=KVFKiBpdzMa0QM%253A%253BnFPSP-944oVCkM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Funderscoopfire.com%25252F80s-workout-outfits%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=KVFKiBpdzMa0QM%253A%252CnFPSP-944oVCkM%252C_&usg=__Ru1AcedBEzfPKleb_dMYMx9CSXo%3D&biw=1156&bih=722&ved=0CC0Qyjc&ei=gESUVIqxFuL-sASBzIDwDg#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=VhDPltlzHalcXM%253A%3B6o8en3i85g9roM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fcommitnesstofitness.com%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2013%252F03%252F80s.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fcommitnesstofitness.com%252F2013%252F03%252F21%252Fbad-workout-outfit-workoutfit%252F%3B394%3B451) Not exactly true these days anymore… it looks more like [this](https://www.google.ie/search?q=aerobics&biw=1680&bih=949&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=lkeUVJOIE4nsO9P0gMgM&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ#tbm=isch&q=aerobics+class) or [this](https://www.google.ie/search?q=aerobics&biw=1680&bih=949&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=lkeUVJOIE4nsO9P0gMgM&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ#tbm=isch&q=cardio+for+mma+class)nowadays… it is part and parcel of the training for Boxing, MMA, Kickboxing, Taekwon-Do, etc… to build up stamina and endurance. ---
**Author:** ![Donnerwetter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2014, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-aerobics-and-why-are-the-classes-filled-with-almost-all-girls/707662/17 "2014-12-19T15:54:06Z")
> [@Lukeinva](#): > > Aerobics is kind of like dancing, and many (most) men wouldn’t be caught dead or alive dancing. Aerobics is also enjoyed by the men folks, as can be seen in this performance by three young gentlemen from San Francisco: [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/SeMJOPlK-0E/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AHuBIAC4AOKAgwIABABGGUgTSg_MA8=&rs=AOn4CLBog0k9w25gxacKohSel7nVM8Qtxw "The 1987 Crystal Light National Aerobic Championship, team competition The San Francisco Bay Club") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeMJOPlK-0E) They look happy. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2014, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-aerobics-and-why-are-the-classes-filled-with-almost-all-girls/707662/18 "2014-12-19T15:56:54Z")
And while Shag’s post is meant perhaps to make fun of the way that guy is dressed, please note the picture in the upper left - Jack Lalanne, who by any definition of fitness, be it aerobic or strength or work capacity or bodybuilding standards or power, was (as put by the Arnold) an animal. He was in his early 70s likely at the time of that picture. ---
**Author:** ![leahcim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@leahcim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leahcim)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2014, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-aerobics-and-why-are-the-classes-filled-with-almost-all-girls/707662/19 "2014-12-19T16:10:02Z")
> [@Doughbag](#): > > Not exactly true these days anymore… Were there any days when that was _actually_ true? I mean for normal people, not just professionals and models. I can’t see the average person deciding to wear a thong leotard in public. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2014, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-aerobics-and-why-are-the-classes-filled-with-almost-all-girls/707662/20 "2014-12-19T16:23:06Z")
> [@mind\_the\_gap](#): > > Aerobics were, IIRC, started by a Royal Canadian Air Force guy named Kenneth Cooper. They were designed to push your body into an area of fitness that had not been considered important at that point. > > mind the gap Close but you’re mixing two different things. [Dr. Cooper](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_H._Cooper)was a \*U.S. \*Air Force Colonel promoted aerobic exercise in any form not just the specific activity we call “aerobics”. The [Royal Canadian Air Force exercise program](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5BX) was a separate thing and was published in 1961. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-aerobics-and-why-are-the-classes-filled-with-almost-all-girls/707662.md?page=2)