Low Impact Aqua Exercise for Weight Loss

Swimming is well known to be one of the best forms of exercise. The UK government have even reduced the charges for many at local swimming baths in an attempt to encourage more to take up this beneficial form of exercise.

Swimming is great for young and old. It’s even good for those who are extremely overweight as it imposed far less stress on the joints and body weight in water is around one tenth of what it is in air.

Regular swimming is particularly good for the cardiovascular system and will help to build endurance. It is an ideal form of exercise for pregnant women, those with back pain or arthritis.

Since the body is so much lighter in water it is a particularly excellent place to work of those excess pounds. Aqua aerobics and aqua exercise have been growing in popularity as awareness of the need to maintain a healthy weight also grows. Aqua aerobics is generally less aggressive on the joints and muscles and this helps you to keep exercising for longer. In a 30 minute workout you can expect to burn around 300 calories.

Aqua exercises are generally aimed at improving strength and mobility by using the resistance of the water. The cushioning effect of water makes this form of exercise particularly suitable for elderly people, those who are over weight and pregnant women.

If you are lucky enough to own your own swimming pool then you have a ready made environment that is ideal for water based exercise. The trick with any form of exercise is to start very gently indeed. Less is more as the saying goes. The crucial thing is to not put yourself off. Your first few sessions should be all about enjoying yourself and getting into your new regular exercise regime.

Try a gentle introduction, particularly if you haven’t exercised in a while and why not invite some family or friends to join you. You are far more likely to stick to your new exercise regime if you have an exercise buddy to join you.

I recommend a good above ground pool in your own back garden if you really want to make the most of aqua exercise.

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