Remember how much fun it was playing in the pool when you were a kid? I used to spend hours at the community pool with my friends, splashing and having fun. I got into running in college, and pretty much forgot the pool. When my knees started acting up, I returned to the water for some workouts and found myself wondering why I hadn’t done it sooner.
The water and resistance
When I first thought about water workouts, I didn’t take into account one of the biggest advantages water provides – resistance. Aqua jogging is just walking up and down a lap lane at a brisk pace which gets your heart rate up. When I first tried it, I thought I could go for several miles. I had to really work to force my body through the water. That’s how I discovered resistance. Before I knew it, I was breathing hard and my legs were getting tired. I began to appreciate the water more.
The buoyancy factor
Next I started to really appreciate the impact of buoyancy. I heard the body only has to support a fraction of its own weight in the water, so I went to a water aerobics class to see what it was all about. When I do lunges in the gym, my knees creak. In the water, the landing of my foot was so gentle I was astonished. I loved it! With that lightness, I could do a lot of exercises that on land would be a grind, but felt wonderful in the water. It reminded me of how much I liked bouncing around in the water as a kid.
Super variety
As I began to explore, I realized there were a lot of choices for water workouts. I didn’t just have to try swimming – which I’m not really that fond of doing. My community pool has a variety of classes each week. There are aqua tai chi and yoga, if I need a relaxing workout. If I’m feeling like a more vigorous workout, there is kick boxing – the trainer wore me out in just an hour, and I was totally aware that I had just gotten a workout to rival any I did in the gym. Next on my list is to try the super sexy moves of Zumba. I’ve wanted to try this dance workout for a while, but feel a little shy to do all that hip swinging. I think when I can try it with most of my body hidden by the water, which sounds a lot better.
The heart advantage
The resting heart rate will run 10 beats per minute lower in the water, and the maximum heart rate will be from 10 to 30 beats per minute lower. That means I can do a solid workout, but make my heart work less than going out on the running trail.
Not just for the elderly
When I was running, I pictured aqua aerobics as a bunch of old people in bathing caps waving their arms in the water. Then one of my runner buddies said he was using aqua aerobics for cross training. Later, another runner came back to the group after an injury, and said he had used aqua jogging to stay in shape while his injury healed. It increased my appreciation for what I could do in the water.
Aqua aerobics has been a regular part of my workout routines for a while now, and I’m having as much fun as I did in the pool when I was a kid!
Kaitlin Gardner started AnApplePerDay.com to further her passion for a family friendly, green living lifestyle. She is married to her college sweetheart and lives in Pennsylvania. She and her husband enjoy going for long hikes, to get out and enjoy nature. She is working on her first book about ways to live an eco-friendly, healthy, natural life.
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