dotFIT Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) Certification Practice Exam

Anaerobic exercise refers to activities that are high intensity and performed in short bursts, where the demand for oxygen exceeds the oxygen supply available to the muscles. This type of exercise typically involves quick, powerful movements and is characteristically associated with strength and power training activities.

Weight lifting is a prime example of anaerobic exercise because it involves short sets of high-intensity efforts, allowing muscles to exert maximum force for a brief duration. This type of activity relies on energy sources stored in the muscles, such as ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and creatine phosphate, rather than requiring continuous oxygen intake.

In contrast, running a marathon, cycling at a steady pace, and swimming laps primarily require a sustained supply of oxygen, placing them in the category of aerobic exercises. These activities are typically performed at a lower intensity over an extended period and rely on aerobic metabolism, where the body uses oxygen to produce energy.

Thus, weight lifting stands out as the clear example of anaerobic exercise due to its characteristics of short duration, high intensity, and the reliance on energy systems that do not require oxygen to function optimally.