Aerobic gymnastics focuses above all on the athlete's ability to perform continuous complex and high-intensity movement patterns to music. The purpose of aerobic dance, which is at the origin of the sport, is to improve cardiovascular endurance and fitness levels. The dance combines a series of aerobic movements – each with several repetitions – in order to involve different muscle groups, and to increase the heart rate. Due to these repetitive movements over extended periods of time, the only concern is to maintain body alignment. When the sport became a part of the gymnastics family, adding difficulty criteria was necessary to make it truly competitive.

The routines aerobatic gymnastics must therefore demonstrate continuous movement, flexibility, strength and utilization of the seven basic steps – plus perfectly executed elements of high-degree difficulty. The combination of the basic aerobic dance steps together with arm movement patterns – all performed to music – are to create dynamic, rhythmic and continuous sequences. The routines must be based on intensity – in keeping to traditional objectives – and exemplify the cardiovascular nature of aerobics. Elements performed at the floor level, which are generally of the highest difficulty, are limited to a maximum of six. The athletes should try to captivate their audience with their routines – but this is to be done in a sporting manner: without showmanship.

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