Summary Objectives The objective of this study was to review the beta-adrenergic (β-AR) signaling pathways in adipose tissue, highlight key proteins involved in lypolisis and examine the effects of aerobic exercise on adipose tissue metabolism. News Obesity is related to increased body fat and chronic subclinical inflammation. In this framework, lipolytic signaling pathways play a key role in the adipose tissue metabolism. The sympathetic activity through beta-adrenergic receptors is responsible for the lipolysis in white adipose tissue (WAT) and thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue (BAT), as well as for the browning of WAT. Aerobic exercise training protects against obesity by reducing body fat and chronic inflammation. Along with lipid oxidation, eating behavior and epigenetic reprogramming, the benefits of exercise are related to increases in lipolysis and browning in WAT, and thermogenesis in BAT by activation of the beta-adrenergic signaling pathways. Prospects and projects The β-adrenergic signaling pathways in adipose tissue in a condition of obesity reflect more complex scenarios requiring further investigations. Concerning aerobic exercise effects, researches should address other possible lipid metabolism pathways, new cytokines involved in lypolisis and inflammation, eating behavior and epigenetic. Thus, new therapeutic strategies to face obesity and associated comorbidities should come up. Conclusion Aerobic exercise training protects against obesity. It induces adipose tissue metabolism by increasing lipolysis and browning of WAT, thermogenesis in BAT, and expression of cytokines related to lipid oxidation and inflammation, not to mention eating behavior and epigenetic reprogramming. Such benefits are helpful in the prevention and treatment of obesity.