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First things first: Igetit if the thought of water aerobics doesnt exactly tickle your workout fancy.
Getty Images/Anna Zagrebina
In fact, it may be just what you better bust yourself out of a fitness rut.
I, too, was once a water aerobics skeptic.
As a former competitive swimmer and experienced swim coach, I didnt take water aerobics seriously for decades.
Sure, they were moving their bodies but it wasnt arealworkout.
That all changed last year when I was hired to teach water aerobics at my local rec center.
I went into the job thinking it would be a walk in the park.
So yes, Im now a water aerobics convert.
Read on for all the information that just may make you one too.
What even is water aerobics?!
Lets get clear on what water aerobics is.
Put simply, its any exercise class thats performed in the water.
In typical classes, you might do moves like jumping jacks, squats, bicep curls, and crunches.
They can cover a range of intensities and workout types.
What are the benefits of water exercise classes?
In a water exercise class, the natural resistance of water can help strengthen your muscles.
Indeed, the Mayo Clinic lists boosted muscular strength and endurance as two key benefits of water exercise.
The resistance benefits of water exercise exist regardless of the direction in which you move, Denomme says.
In a water exercise class, the water is constantly churning around you, Denomme says.
(This effect is especially pronounced in a lazy river class.)
Every exercise in the water has the potential to be acore exercise, Denomme adds.
Stick with it though, and you may notice your baseline coordination abilities improve.
For many people, exercising in the water simply feels good.
These types of high-effort intervals leave class goers (and myself) pretty breathless.
This can help you achieve a greater stretch as you move your body in various positions.
As someone with chronicallytight hipsand hamstrings, this is definitely a welcome benefit of water classes.
Perhaps my favorite benefit of water exercise?
Thats because the focus is really on you, not on anyone else.
Ive noticed theres just something about being in water that makes you feel like youre on summer vacation.
But after trying water exercise, they finally found a pop in of workout they enjoyed.
Heres how you’ve got the option to get started with water aerobics.
First things first: Find a program that is led by a qualified fitness professional, Denomme says.
This is important because it can ensure classes are designed with safety and effectiveness in mind.
Our bodies will tell us when were moving or doing something thats not right for us, Denomme says.
If those two things dont solve the issue, switch to a different movement thatdoesfeel right for you.
