Pros & Cons of Water Aerobics

Swimming in pools appeals to all age groups and it offers advantages such as muscle strengthening, arthritis relief, fitness and relaxation. You may find yourself exercising longer in the water than you do on land because of the cooling effects of water. The pros of water exercise seem to far outweigh the cons.

  1. Arthritis and Bones

    • Dr. Edward Laskowski, M.D., physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist with the Mayo Clinic, recommends water aerobics for arthritic patients. He states that pool temperatures should be on the warmer side for arthritis sufferers, as heat loosens muscles and is generally more comfortable for older people. The buoyancy of the water allows for near weightlessness as patients perform various movements to exercise painful joints. Water resistance adds a strength training element to the aerobic routines. According to the Aquatics Exercise Association, water-based exercise maintains bone density. This is due to movement against the resistance of water.

    Fitness and Weight Loss

    • In an interview with "Fitness," Greg Moe, a top trainer for Rough-Fit based in California, states that minute to minute, "treading water vigorously" will burn as many calories as a 6-mph run. There are a number of exercise routines that can be done in the water, according to Moe, that require little more than a beach ball. He further recommends working out every other day to give your body a rest between sessions. The results are "a body to dive for," he says.

    Cooling Effects

    • According to the United States Water Fitness Association, swimming pool temperatures should be set according to the type of activity for which the pool is being used. As long as the temperature of the water is lower than 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, heat is transferred from the body to the cooler water. A temperature range between 78 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for water aerobics.

    Cons

    • If you don't own a pool, you face the expense of joining a local swim club or gym. Either way, there are costs to consider. Additionally, a report by the CDC in May of 2013 disclosed that 58 percent of public swimming pool water contains unhealthy amounts of E. coli, a bacteria responsible for infection. Finally, any exercise in water poses a risk of drowning. It is always best to do water aerobics in a safe setting with life guards present.