Aquafit For The Young

Water aerobics is no longer the preserve of our grandparents.  Nowadays many younger people are choosing to seek out their aerobic activity in the water.   Water aerobics, or waterobics or aqua fit, are all becoming increasingly popular among the young and healthy.  No longer is this form of exercise to be seen as less than a real aerobic workout.  For any of you who have actually tried one of these classes, the workout can be intense, as intense as you would like to make it.

As we age we need to exercise more to keep us in good health, but likewise as we age we increase our chances of injuries.  Knee and ankle injuries, back spasms and/or tennis elbow might be just some of the various pains and strains we can receive from traditional land based exercise.  Many people may have only come to water aerobics after an injury which required them to stay away from high impact regimens. 

However, once they discover just how powerful and intense water fitness can be, they tend to integrate it into their exercise schedules.
Water aerobics is a type of aerobic and resistance training that takes place in the pool.  While it used to be that this was considered a safe place for older men and women to get their exercise as it is much less stressful on bones and joints, increasing numbers of younger participants are signing up.  This is no doubt the case because the benefits are great, for young and old alike.

The techniques of water aerobics usually combine those traditionally used on land.  These include walking and jogging in the water, jumping jacks, leg lifts, and various other motions.  In the water, resistance is greatly increased and as such you are working your muscles even harder than you would on land.  Moreover, because the water helps to prevent strains and injuries that occur from landing on the hard ground, you are safe to work as hard as you like, generally with much less fear of injury.

The lesser gravity in the water not only places a great deal less stress on sensitive joints and ligaments, but also can in fact allow for a greater range of motion.  Stretching can therefore be increased.  On top of these benefits, for those just starting out, less gravity makes your whole body feel lighter. 

For people just beginning, for those that are obese or have been stationary for a long time, and for the elderly water aerobics can therefore be extremely useful.  However, young people too can benefit from a little pool time.  Receiving all the benefits listed above, new classes designed for younger individuals will give you a more intense workout than you might think.  Water aerobics provides resistance and this can allow you to burn more calories than you would on land.  This coupled with the greater increase in muscle building through resistance training, gives you ample reason to give aqua aerobics a try.  If you are worried about injury, are recovering, or are just looking for something a little different and perhaps even more intense than your regular slog at the gym, check out the options at your local YMCA and take a dive in to water fitness.