4 Benefits of a Water Workout
Everyone needs exercise, but high-impact training is not for everyone. In fact, activities like running, jumping rope, and step aerobics can be taxing on joints, ligaments, and tendons—particularly for beginners, older adults, and those with joint problems or arthritis.
Water exercise can help you achieve maximum wellness with minimal pain. Take a look at some of the biggest benefits of a water workout.
Reduced Joint Pain
A water workout is considered low-impact exercise because it takes the pressure off joints, muscles, and bones, which reduces the risk of injury. The last thing you want to do when working toward wellness is cause yourself lasting pain. With water’s natural density and buoyancy, you can enjoy a longer workout that doesn’t put unnecessary stress on your body. In fact, you may feel about 90 percent lighter when submerged in water. This makes aquatic exercise a top choice for rehab, physical therapy, or just overall fitness.
Stronger Muscles
In order to build muscle strength, you need resistance. And because water is denser than air, it provides substantially more resistance—so aquatic exercise offers the perfect challenge for your muscles. Plus, moving through the water provides a balanced workout because you’re using opposing muscles such as biceps and triceps, and quadriceps and hamstrings. Using water’s natural resistance, you can strengthen your muscles while steering clear of the prohibitively heavy weights you might find at the gym.
Improved Heart Health
Not only is a water workout good for your joints and muscles, it’s also good for your heart. The pressure of the water on the lower body keeps blood moving toward the heart, improving circulation and reducing strain on this vital muscle. That’s because the decrease in gravity enables a more efficient return of blood from the extremities to the heart. Plus, hydrostatic pressure—the pressure water exerts on the body when submerged—assists in blood flow and improves the exchange of oxygen in the blood. Water exercise is an excellent way to keep your heart healthy and strong.
Enhanced Mood
Finally, you want to enjoy your time exercising—and water workouts are an ideal way to accomplish that goal. People report enjoying water-based exercise more than land exercise, and water-based exercise has been to shown to improve mental health for men and women of all ages. In addition, exercise therapy in warm water can decrease depression and improve mood for people with fibromyalgia.
Clearly, the adage “No pain, no gain” does not have to apply to your fitness journey. With a water workout, you can experience enormous health gains—minus the muscle aches and joint pain.
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