Spending a hot summer afternoon in a pool is an activity that we all enjoyed at some point, but for many modern adults, pools don’t quite have the same appeal, until they learn just how healthy it really is. Similarly to land-based exercise, working out in water can improve cognition, blood calories, blood pressure, and can strengthen both the muscular and cardiovascular systems in the body.
The reason that water-based exercise tends to be healthier than exercise done on land is due to the higher density of water compared to air, meaning that water provides more resistance. This allows people to put their muscles under more strain while simultaneously less putting less pressure on their joints, allowing them to do exercise that they would not have been able to do in a gym, for example, even if it means giving up the spin Casino Canada games played while on the treadmill.
Why Water Is Better
According to a 2016 study that was released by the British Geriatric Society, a minimum of just two water workouts every week showed significant boosts to bodies of those of all ages, but especially for people over 50. Research has found that aquatic-based exercise can also improve muscular endurance and aerobic stamina, and that it can also increase agility and flexibility.
More research has found that pool exercises is especially beneficial to those that are trying to reduce pain, and is recommended for anyone suffering from some kind of physical disability that they would otherwise not be able to manage through conventional exercise. This applies to those suffering from knee or hip problems, which are common among people attempting to manage such conditions as osteoarthritis.
One of the reasons behind this is that when we exercise on land, we tend to always have the extra weight on our joints no matter what kind of activity we perform, but exercising in water removes this extra burden from the joints and allows exercise to be easier while still maintaining high intensity. High-resistance band exercises are recommended for the pool, along with running with a flotation belt and even walking around briskly in the pool’s shallow area.
Water-Based Exercises
For those that want to try working out in the pool but don’t know where to start, there are a couple of different classes that may be worth checking out:
- Aqua Cycling: Most often found in bigger gyms, these are stationary bikes that have been put in the shallow end of a pool. The intensity is determined by how hard the user cycles, and the resistance comes from the water they’re sitting in, while not adding unnecessary pressure to their joints.
- Ai Chi: Ai Chi is an aquatic from of tai chi that combines a series of slow movements done in deeper water while also practising breathing exercises. It’s believed that it can improve movement and overall balance.
- Aqua Yoga: Just like regular yoga, and with many of the same exercises, except it’s all done in shoulder-deep water, allowing for more robust positions.