The lowdown on Aquafit
Land-based exercise can lead to major health benefits, but at what cost to your joints? Aquafit is aerobics in the water, and not only does it get you fit with none of the impact of hammering the gym floor, it can also give your muscles a massage while you work out.
Water exercise doesn’t get much more inclusive than Aquafit. Virtually anybody can take part. There is a session suitable for all needs, even people who can’t swim.
So, what is it? In short, it is aerobic exercise in water, a fitness class in the pool. It promotes fitness for life and aims to maintain stamina, strength, and suppleness. It is also good at reducing stress levels.
OK, you can get these from your regular land-based exercise class. But working out in water has a range of benefits. The key one being that the water acts as a cushion protecting joints such as the spine and ankles.
Buoyancy lifts and supports the body, giving a wonderful feeling of freedom and providing an environment in which exercise movements and relaxation are easy. Also, water offers resistance. This means you can tone and develop muscle groups in a low impact environment.
And this isn’t all. Water movement around the body has a massaging effect, helping to work the less used muscles during exercise. Also, the temperature of most pools means you can work hard without over heating the body.
Once you have read it all and realise it’s the exercise for you, click here to find your nearest pool and check if they are providing Aquafit. Remember, if you have a medical condition ensure you consult your doctor before you begin.
A few more benefits of Aquafit
- Participants can work at a level which suits them – sessions can be planned for various fitness levels and age ranges
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The use buoyancy aids and pool sidebars is allowed. You can also exercise at a pool depth to suit you, and you can take a friend along for moral support
- Aquafit is fun, participants are encouraged to enjoy exercise and at the end of the session to relax
- Cardio vascular fitness is improved through lively exercise movements and enjoyable ‘aerobic’ routines.
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