Aqua Aerobics
Health Benefits
As well as easing concerns over safe exercising, there are numerous health benefits to performing aerobic exercise in the water. Most significantly it increases cardiovascular fitness, promoting the service the heart provides in pumping blood around the body, and improving aerobic endurance. It also strengthens and tones the body and improves flexibility. It typically takes place in shallow water at a swimming pool and as part of an organised group session that can last anywhere between 30 minutes and an hour. Workouts are usually accompanied by lively music and are specially planned by the instructor to take the abilities and disabilities of the members into consideration. Workouts also commonly feature special water devices to aid flotation.
Safe Exercise
Aqua aerobics is not only a great way to get fit but it is also one of the safest. It keeps the heart and lungs healthy whilst toning the body and reducing fat, and also provides a good opportunity for a splash about in the water. The support the water provides for the body greatly reduces the risk of bone, muscle and joint injury, its density meaning that 90% of a body’s weight is supported. Another way to understand this is that a body weighing 150 pounds, for instance, will only, in theory, weigh around 15 pounds in the water. The stress that gravity puts on the body joints is therefore greatly relieved enabling freer and safer movement. This water support also means that those with back or knee problems can take part in aqua aerobics without fear of pain or further injury.
The density of water means that it provides twelve times the resistance of air, and therefore makes an exercise on land twelve times harder in the water. This means participants expend a good deal more energy than their cousins in the gym performing the same routines. The resistance also means that opposing muscle groups are strengthened by pushing against the water.
Water-based heart rate is approximately 13% lower than during land-based exercise because of the reduction of pressure, gravity and temperature on the heart that the water provides.
Entering the Pool
For some, entering and leaving the pool is a struggle because of their injuries or illnesses. PALS is pleased to be able to say that with the help of the Somerset Community Foundation, we have been able to purchase a hydraulic chair which eases our members gently into the pool, where they are given assistance to gain their balance before joining in the sessions. For the more mobile St Audries Pool has Roman steps into the water, thus allowing easy access for all. We do also stress that everyone should feel free to exercise at their own pace and never to feel that they need to complete a full session. Only we ourselves can be the judge of when our bodies are tired and must stop.
