What does aerobics mean?
Aerobics refers to a system of physical exercise designed to strengthen the heart and lungs through sustained, rhythmic activity, typically performed to music in a class or group setting. The term derives from 'aerobic', meaning 'requiring oxygen', and was popularised in the late 1960s by Dr Kenneth Cooper, an American physician whose research into cardiovascular fitness gave the word its modern meaning. In everyday use, aerobics most commonly denotes structured workout sessions involving dance-like movements, stepping, and stretching, though it can also describe any vigorous exercise — such as swimming, cycling, or brisk walking — that raises the body's oxygen consumption. Grammatically, it is a plural-form noun that takes singular agreement: 'aerobics is beneficial'. Variants such as step aerobics, water aerobics, and low-impact aerobics reflect adaptations for different fitness levels and settings. The word carries energetic, health-focused connotations and remains central to the vocabulary of gyms, fitness culture, and preventive medicine.
nounA system of physical exercise designed to improve cardiovascular fitness, typically performed to music in a class or group setting. Also used more broadly to refer to any vigorous rhythmic exercise that increases the body's oxygen consumption.
- A form of physical exercise combining rhythmic cardiovascular activity with stretching and strength routines, often performed to music in a group setting.
- Any sustained physical activity that improves the efficiency of the body's cardiovascular system in absorbing and transporting oxygen.
"She attends aerobics classes at the gym three times a week."
"She signed up for a step aerobics class at her local gym."
"Swimming is one of the best forms of low-impact aerobics for people with joint problems."
The word is invariant in form and always takes singular agreement when referring to the exercise discipline as a whole.
"Aerobics is offered every morning at the community centre."
The word 'aerobics' was coined in the 1960s by a US Air Force physician who was studying how exercise affects the heart — and it went on to spark a global fitness revolution.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does aerobics come from?
The word 'aerobics' derives from the adjective 'aerobic', which combines the Greek 'aēr' (air) with the suffix '-bios' (life), literally meaning 'living in air' or 'requiring oxygen'. It was coined in the late 1960s by Dr Kenneth H. Cooper, a US Air Force physician whose book 'Aerobics' (1968) popularised the concept of cardiovascular exercise. Related words sharing this Greek root include 'anaerobic' and 'aerobe'.
Related word forms
How aerobics is actually used
Always used as a plural-form noun taking singular agreement ('aerobics is good for you'). The word is informal-to-neutral in register and is strongly associated with group fitness classes, particularly those popularised from the late 1960s onward.
Easily confused with aerobics
'Aerobic' is an adjective describing exercise that requires oxygen, while 'aerobics' is the noun referring to the exercise activity itself.