Swimming and Aqua Exercise
Swimming is known to be one of the best ways in which to keep your body fit and healthy. Since your weight in water is around only one tenth of your weight on land it is an ideal environment for those with arthritis, back pain, excess weight or pregnant women.
Swimming is an enjoyable and potentially relaxing way in which to work your muscles and joints. It imposes far less stress and impact upon your joints than running and can provide a great way to socialise. Regular swimming will build endurance and muscle strength and can provide a great addition to other physical training programmes.
Swimming is also an effective and enjoyable way to work off some excess pounds. Since your body is so much lighter in the water you will find that you tire less quickly than you would when on dry land allowing your water based workout sessions to last longer. Swimming will burn calories at a rate of around 3 calories per mile per pound of bodyweight. So if you swim a mile and weigh about 150lbs then you will have burned about 900 calories.
Aqua aerobics and aqua exercise has been growing in popularity with many sports centres and public swimming pools holding regular classes. Aqua aerobics is generally lower impact than land based aerobics making this form of exercise great if you are overweight. In a 30 minute workout you can expect to burn around 300 calories.
Aqua exercises are generally aimed at improving strength and mobility by using the resistance of the water. The cushioning effect of water makes this form of exercise particularly suitable for elderly people, those who are overweight and pregnant women.
If you are lucky enough to own your own swimming pool then you have a ready made environment that is ideal for water based exercise. Try starting gently by walking or even jogging in the water and maybe make it a social ocassion by inviting friends or family to join you.
Whatever you do it is important to make sure that you have fun. Having fun will encourage you to keep up with the exercises, keep coming back to the classes and keep yourself fit and healthy.