Water exercise can include a wide range of exercises and activities. And no we’re not just talking about swimming. There are quite a few options to choose from, most of which offer the following benefits:
- Low-impact – Water exercises are low-impact and easy on the joints, making them ideal for people with joint pain, arthritis, or injuries. The buoyancy of the water also reduces the impact on the body, making it a great option for individuals with chronic pain.
- Full-body workout – These exercises engage all major muscle groups, making them an effective full-body workout. They can help to tone muscles, increase strength, and improve overall fitness.
- Cardiovascular health – These exercises can improve cardiovascular health by increasing heart rate and circulation. They can help to lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, and improve overall cardiovascular endurance.
- Weight loss – Water exercises can help to burn calories and promote weight loss. They can burn up to 500-700 calories per hour, depending on the intensity of the workout.
- Improved flexibility – The resistance of water can help to improve flexibility and range of motion by engaging in a wide range of motion exercises.
- Stress relief – These exercises can be relaxing and meditative, providing a soothing effect on the body and mind. They can help to reduce stress and anxiety and improve overall mood.
- Rehabilitation – Water exercises can be an effective rehabilitation tool for individuals recovering from injuries or surgeries. The low-impact nature of water exercises can help to improve mobility and strength without causing additional injury or pain.
Water Exercises for Fat Burning
Here are excellent exercises you can do in the water to help you burn fat, calories and weight.
- Swimming – Swimming is a great aerobic exercise that can burn up to 500 calories per hour, depending on the intensity of the workout. It works all major muscle groups and can help to tone muscles while burning fat.
- Water jogging – This is a great low-impact exercise that can help to burn fat and improve cardiovascular health. It involves running or jogging in waist-deep water, which adds resistance and makes the exercise more challenging.
- Water aerobics – This is a fun and effective way to burn fat while being easy on the joints. It involves performing a variety of exercises in the water, such as jumping jacks, leg lifts, and arm circles. Water aerobics can burn up to 400 calories per hour, depending on the intensity of the workout.
- Treading water – Treading water is a challenging exercise that can burn up to 600 calories per hour. It involves keeping the body afloat in deep water by using a combination of leg and arm movements. Treading water can help to tone muscles and burn fat while improving cardiovascular health.
- Water polo – Water polo is a high-intensity sport that can burn a significant amount of calories while building strength and endurance. It involves passing and shooting a ball while treading water and swimming. Water polo can burn up to 700 calories per hour, depending on the intensity of the game.
Some gyms like GoodLife Fitness and YMCA have pool access. If you’re interested in water exercises, getting a membership in any of these gyms may be to your advantage.
Watch this water polo workout: