Water Aerobics Pool Exercises

Water aerobics pool exercises vary in intensity, depending upon your personal preference, and provide a form of resistance training. People of all ages and even those who cannot swim can benefit from this form of exercise. Because pool exercises are easy on the joints and provide a wide multitude of health benefits, they are commonly recommended by medical professionals to help individuals with various health ailments, including as arthritis.

  1. Exercises

    • Almost any exercise that you can do on land, you can do in water. Pretend you are skiing (either downhill or cross country) and move your upper body in unison with your lower body for a cross-training aerobic exercise. If you are unable to swim, simply get in the water, hold on to the side and walk around the pool's perimeter. Be sure your feet touch the bottom. Jog as a water aerobics pool exercise.
      Get in the pool and lean back against the sides while stretching out your arms, then kick your legs for a heart healthy workout. Water step aerobics also work well, because the joints are not as punished as they would be on land.

    Equipment

    • If you choose, add some weights to your water aerobic pool exercises. Hand weights and/or weight gloves can come in handy, as can ankle weights and water boots. Remember to start out light and gently work your way up to greater weights. Flotation devices are other common equipment used during water aerobic pool exercises.

    Benefits

    • Water aerobics can provide an all-body workout. They can increase your lung capacity, strengthen your cardiovascular system and increase blood flow to your muscles. Water increases the resistance to movement and provides the muscles with an even better workout than on land. It helps increase joint and muscle flexibility. Water aerobics are easy on the joints and are commonly used as an arthritic therapy treatment. And you can get a good cardiovascular workout without getting sweaty. Water aerobics also can be adjusted to the intensity level that suits your need.

    Precaution

    • As with any exercise program, it is important that you consult with a medical professional prior to starting your water aerobics pool exercise program. Even though this form of exercise may look like fun, it should be taken seriously. It is important to remember that you need to warm up, stretch and cool down, as you would in any other exercise program, to help prevent injury.