How Aqua Aerobics Can Dramatically Improve Your Health

When you’re young, the world is your oyster. Physical activity is a staple in maintaining a healthy physique and a great way to burn off stress as you build your life up. But, as all of us age, it takes longer for the body to heal itself. Sore muscles last for days longer and joint pain becomes a real thing.

So how do you stay fit and active in your later years? In this article, we are going to show you an amazing way to keep your physical activity way up (maybe more than ever) with very low impact on your joints. This means lots of exercise with virtually zero knee pain, hip pain or back pain. Today we are going to talk about Aqua Aerobics and how it can change your life and get you in the best shape you’ve ever been in.

What is Aqua Aerobics?

Aqua aerobics has been around and growing in popularity for decades. Sometimes called water aerobics or aqua-fit, it is a form of exercise known to increase your heart rate and improve your cardiovascular fitness. The best part about aqua aerobics is that it is a low impact exercise.\
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The term “aerobic” actually means “with oxygen”. This means that your oxygen controlled by your breathing helps your muscles move and burn calories. Aqua aerobics follows the same principles as regular aerobics, but just done in the water. This is why it places less strain on your joints.

Even though there is less strain on joints, don’t let that fool you into thinking it is easy! Aqua aerobics helps to strengthen your body because water acts as natural resistance. In fact, water offers much more resistance than air meaning each movement is just a tiny bit harder; but that tiny bit sure adds up quickly! Plus in water, there is resistance in both directions of movement; push and pull. You will be working on ALL muscle groups in a very dynamic way so you basically get a double benefit for the same effort.

Aqua aerobics is a very rewarding and beneficial total-body workout that carries with it a lower risk of injury when compared to regular weight training or aerobics in a gym. It is perfectly suitable for people of all ages but has been growing in popularity among people ages 50+.

What are the Benefits of Aqua Aerobics?

Here are seven of the major benefits of doing Aqua Aerobics:

• Great for burning calories - The average 1 hour session of aqua aerobics burns 400 to 500 calories according to burn-calories.com.
• Working all the major muscle groups. - Aqua aerobics is a total body workout requiring you to use your legs, arms, back, chest and core.
• All-over toning -  Because you are not lifting heavy weights, your body will become more tone and defined.

• Improves balance - Strengthening your core muscles will cause you to feel more centered and massively improve your balance and coordination.
• Helps people with mobility problems become less dependent - being more fit allows you to move more freely and without relying on things like walkers and crutches.
• People with physical handicaps can participate - with the help of a life jacket, you may be able to still participate in aqua aerobics training. Never give up.

• Stress relieving - Especially when the pool is heated to the perfect temperature. For more on this, visit this article on the health benefits of heated water.

What are the Benefits of Aqua Aerobics?

There are some minor points to consider before you take the plunge. First being if you’re pregnant, aqua aerobics is a safe activity as long as you do not over strain yourself. The added bonus is being in a heated pool can really reduce some of the pregnancy stress and the weightlessness can reduce the strain on your back. Remember to ask your doctor before you start.

And in general, if you have any health concerns or heart condition worries, check with your doctor before you take on any new physical activities. If you are overweight or just beginning a weight loss program, aqua aerobics is a terrific place to start as the water will reduce the amount of stress put on your joints, knees and back.

Where Can I do Aqua Aerobics on the Costa Blanca?

The great thing about aqua aerobics is they can be done in just about any pool. For most people, their home pool is probably the best option. Inviting a friend or partner also helps to motivate you to stay at it and develop a weekly routine.

As far as the pool water temperature goes, you don’t want it to be so cold that it discourages you from getting your exercise. If you are using your pool for exercise, you may not need to heat it very much. According to the Red Cross, a pool should be heated up to 28C if you are planning to do any physical training or exercise.

That’s where we come in. At Tropical Energy Solutions, we have a total pool heating solution for any pool here on the Costa Blanca. From all of the top brands like Poolex, Toshiba, Zodiac and our own Inverter Pro Series. We can heat your pool for a fraction of what you think a pool heater will cost. Pair it with one of our custom pool covers made in the Costa Blanca and your pool will stay at the perfect temperature all year.

Do I need Any Special Equipment for Aqua Aerobics?

Although a younger person may be able to get by just jumping in the pool and going straight for it, there are some things that will make your training with aqua aerobics a bit more enjoyable.

• Swimmers Cap - Having a swim cap will keep your long hair comfortably out of the way while performing some of the exercises. Be sure the swim cap stays on your head while not too tight. Swim caps can be found here.
• A pair of goggles - A great set of goggles will keep the water out of your eyes so you can focus on burning calories.
• Foam Kickboard - This allows you to do leg drills and exercises and is an important part of aqua aerobics. Foam kickboards can be had cheaply at a number of bazaars around Javea.
• Buoyancy Belt - Just like the kick board, a buoyancy belt allows you to do arm exercises without the need to tread water. You can find them for sale in Spain by clicking here.

3 Simple Exercises to get you Started with Aqua Aerobics

Got a pool? Well here are 5 simple aqua aerobic exercises that you can start doing today! Remember how many calories you're gonna burn and how good you’re gonna feel after doing it. Let’s get started!

1. Walk in Water

Targeting your arms, core, and lower body, walking in water is a great exercise to start off with as it helps you get a feeling for how you can create resistance.

1. Start off by simply walking in shallow water up to waist height.
2. In time, lengthen your back and walk by putting pressure on your heel first and then your toes.
3. Keep your arms at your side and in the water, and move them as you walk.
4. Engage your core and stand up straight as you walk.
5. Do this for 5-10 minutes.

2. Water Arm Lifts

This exercise is perfect for anyone just starting out. It really works your shoulders and arms while strengthening your core and legs.

1. Begin by standing in shoulder height water.
2. Hold yours at their sides, with your palms facing up.
3. Draw your elbows close to your torso as you lift your forearms to the height of the water.
4. Rotate your wrists to turn your palms face down.
5. Lower your arms back to the starting position.
6. Do 1-3 sets of 10-15 reps for each exercise.

3. Leg Kicks

Leg kicks are a great leg and core exercise. Great for increasing your stability and coordination.

1. Hold onto the pool ledge or hold a kickboard.
2. Flutter-kick your legs.
3. Scissor-kick your legs open and closed.
4. Do a breaststroke kick with your legs.
5. Follow with dolphin kicks.
6. Do each kick for 1-3 minutes.