Water Aerobic Exercises: No Pain, No Sprain?

When you want to burn calories, lose belly fat, strengthen your muscles, and improve flexibility, you may want to consider water aerobic exercises. And yes, you can be in perfect health to benefit from this wonderful, newer form of exercise. But if you have had a sports injury or have health problems which would otherwise hinder you from getting back into top physical shape, water aerobics is an excellent tool for you as well.

For Instance: Do you suffer from acute lower back pain or are recuperating from back surgery? Are you pregnant and need a workout that’s safe for your condition? Or are you just now embarking on the road to better health, and need exercise that’s not just effective, but also low-impact and easy on your joints?

In all of these cases, water aerobics are a good choice for maintaining and increasing muscle strength, while improving cardiovascular fitness. Water aerobic exercises especially aqua walking, aqua running, and aqua jogging, enhance cardiorespiratory health in addition to strengthening the leg and hip muscles, no matter what your age or condition.

In case you’re wondering, non-swimmers can also perform water aerobic exercises since most of them are done only waist or chest level high. Only for certain exercises, like aqua jogging, will have you submerge your whole body.

For the most part, when exercising in water, you’ll only have to support about half of your body’s weight. This lessens the possibility of injury and gives people with lower back pain and those who are pregnant a chance for a great workout.

Since you are not working against gravity as you do on land, you are also experiencing multi-dimensional resistance for an even better workout.

The Benefits of Water Aerobics Compared To Regular Exercise:

non weight bearing exercise
for young and old and in between
strengthen muscles and joints without injury
reduces compression on lower joints
reduces stress on lower joints
reduces stress on lower back
safer during pregnancy
keep flexible and fit if suffering arthritis
great cardio workout without hurting knees and ankles
soothes acute lower back pain after surgery
experience multi-dimensional resistance training
helps enhance flexibility, strength and endurance
water cools while sweatiing
be weightless – priceless

Calories burnt for 30-minute workout:

Land walking: 135 calories
Deep water walking; 264 calories
Jogging on land: 240 calories
Deep water jogging: 340 calories

Perhaps, next time we should try the pool instead of the gym.

Where to go: Look into your local yellow pages to find a certified instructor at a pool near you.

***The swimming pool temperature should be controlled. Also make sure you have a certified instructor who adjusts your routine according to your requirements, fitness levels and medical restrictions. As always, check with your physician before beginning any new exercise routine.***

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