You want to lose weight, tone up, and get healthy,
but there are legitimate concerns standing in your way. You may have an
illness or physical injury which puts going out for a run or walking on
a treadmill out of the question.
Or, it's possible that you have reached the state
of obesity where exercise of any form on dry land is painful, if not
even dangerous.
While these medical and pain management concerns
may have prevented you from exercising in the past, there is a way to
overcome them and workout safely: water aerobics!
Since the water absorbs the pressure that would
otherwise land on your joints and muscles, you can workout pain and
stress free when in the water.
So, what about exercise during pregnancy? The last
trimester is typically a no-exercise period, but most doctors will
approve water aerobics if you don't have any serious medical concerns.
In fact, some pregnancy complications can be eased
with gentle water aerobics. This type of low impact exercise can also
make you more comfortable and help control weight gain at the end of
the pregnancy.
Every type of workout that can be obtained on dry
land can now be obtained in a body of water. Water aerobics movement
can be very simple such as walking with the natural resistance of the
water or it can be more complex such as using foam weights to
strengthen and tone the muscles.
You can put in a great cardiovascular session that
burns calories and increases your heart rate or strengthen your muscles
with foam weights, bands, and the natural resistance of your body and
the water. It is not as intense as working out on dry land, but it is
very effective.
Besides burning calories and keeping your body
active, water aerobics can increase flexibility, strengthen every
muscle in the body, and improve your posture and spinal alignment.
Depending on the type of workout performed you can increase the rate of
fat burn throughout the body, boost the metabolism, or even increase
the amount of lean muscle mass in your body.
Any movement in the water can be considered water
aerobics, so don't worry about doing this wrong or right. Just get in
and start moving. You can walk or do a light jog around the pool or
make scissor motions with your legs.
Holding onto a boogie board and kicking around the
pool is a great leg workout while balancing on a water noodle and
pushing around with your arms is a great arm workout. If you have
problems treading water stay in the shallow end or use a water belt
that holds you afloat.
If you get bored on your own or just want more of
a challenge or professional direction, look in your local community for
water aerobics
classes. Most communities will have a YMCA or other organization
offering classes at affordable prices. Senior citizens communities may
also offer classes.
You can find a lot of equipment designed to make
water aerobics more effective. You can now purchase dumbbells made from
foam that become heavier when immersed in water and weighted water
gloves. There are also belts that hold you afloat in deep water as well
as basic boogie boards and noodles. Even balls can be used effectively
in the water.
But to start out you do not need any of that. Just
put on your swim suit and get wet!
Jenny Hunter is offering health and fitness advice
on her blog. Go and have a look and read more about what water
aerobics can do for you.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jenny_Hunter
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