Everyone can benefit from aquatic fitness. 

Aquatic fitness is defined as activities performed in the water that promote and enhance physical and mental fitness. There are numerous applications to appeal to wide variety of participants. Not only is it ideal for elderly and pregnant women, anyone with a reasonable level of fitness can achieve great improvements in their health, with the help of aqua aerobics. It is especially beneficial for those who suffer from knee, back or other joint problems.

This immensely enjoyable form of exercise makes creative use of the natural resistance and buoyancy of water to provide a low-impact work-out that is both fun and effective. It is suitable for all ages and different levels of fitness. Aqua fitness work-outs aim to improve all the components of fitness: muscular endurance and strength, body composition, aerobic capacity, and flexibility or joint mobility, as well as improving neuromuscular coordination.

Buoyancy

In the water your body is buoyant and the impact to the joints during exercise is significantly less than on land. Depending on the water depth, your body weight is reduced in the pool due to lessened gravitational forces.

A properly designed program in the water provides a highly effective workout in a safe and gentle environment due to the principle of buoyancy. Shallow water programs are generally best performed in water that is about mid - chest depth for maximum comfort, control of movement and optimum toning benefits for the upper body.

Resistance

Muscles must work against resistance to become developed and toned. Water provides substantially more resistance than air at least 12 times the resistance - making each movement in the pool more challenge to the muscles. Also, muscle typically work in pairs, i.e. biceps & triceps or quadriceps and hamstrings. When you move your body or your limbs through the water you are always encountering resistance. This helps to provide more balance workout as opposing muscles are involved, unlike on land where you typically need to position the body, or select a separate exercise to provide adequate stimulation to both muscles of the pair.

Cooling Effects

Water cools more efficiently than air, so when exercising in the water the body is able to eliminate excess heat more effectively. This is not so say that you will not sweat during a workout in the tub, but water helps prevent overheating and washes away the perspiration as you exercise. Because the water cools the body quickly, it is imperative that you begin every workout with a thermal warm up designed to elevate the body's core temperature warm the muscles and prepare the joints for the increased work load to come. Even at the recommend temperature of 80.85 degree Fahrenheit, a proper warm up is necessary to prevent injury and provide comfort.

Water Workout V. Land-Based Workout

Because of the type of resistance water provides, training heart rate and the calories burned in the water compared with the same exercise on land, varies based on the individual. The resistance in water is equal to the pressure exerted against it, so the harder you push/pull through the water, the more resistance you gain during your workout.

Heart rates in the water are generally 12-15 beats per minute lower than on land (while performing the same activity at the same intensity level.) Researchers say that this is because the water temperature is a bit lower than your own body temperature, and water pressure on the body helps circulate your blood requiring less work by your heart.

Find Out More:

The Aquatic Fitness System | Hydrotherapy at Home | Private Aquatic Fitness Training