Exercising in the water, whether you prefer swimming, water aerobics, or another activity, is an aerobic form of exercise that has a low impact on the body. As the fourth most popular sports activity in the U.S., swimming appeals to a wide range of people.
Why Aquatic Exercise?
Water-based exercise is a healthy and accessible choice for people of all ages and fitness levels. It allows individuals to set their own pace and is a highly effective way to burn calories. The Aquatic Exercise Association claims that a person can expect to burn 400 to 500 calories per hour of water-based exercise.
Natural Buoyancy
Exercising in the water offers a natural resistance—12 times more than air. When you’re submerged in water up to the neck, your weight can be reduced to just 10% of what it is on land. That resistance assists with building muscle because the muscles must exert more effort. Improved flexibility is another benefit of aquatic exercise because the joints have a larger range of motion when the body is in the water. Swimming works all of the major muscle groups, making it an excellent choice for exercising the entire body.
Improved Heart Health
Regular water-based exercise has been shown to improve heart health and cardiovascular strength because water lessens the strain and pressure on the body, allowing it to circulate blood more efficiently.
Respiratory System Boost
Swimming can increase your lung capacity and breathing control.
Fun Ways to Move
One of the reasons that many people avoid exercise is its repetitiveness. Incorporating water-based exercise can help keep exercise interesting and fun! You can experiment with different swimming strokes, racing, diving, water aerobics, polo, and swim aids like hand-held paddles, foam noodles, rings, or kickboards.
Improved Mood
Like all types of exercise, water-based exercise helps improve mental health and mood, thanks to the body’s release of endorphins. A 2014 study of people with dementia found that regular swimmers showed improved mood.
Aquatic exercise is a fun, healthy way to burn calories and build your cardiovascular and respiratory systems while also having a positive impact on your mental health. Exercising in the water is a great way to add variety to your workouts. For more tips on ways to stay healthy and incorporate new types of workouts into your routine, subscribe to our blog!
