The Top 7 Benefits of Water Aerobics

Even if it’s not an everyday activity, working out is essential for our mental and physical well-being. But working out doesn’t have to mean spending hours in the gym, jogging, or any other vigorous exercise. Water aerobics exercises are some of the best workouts for people of all age groups and fitness levels.

As the name suggests, a water aerobics workout includes an aerobic activity performed in the water. These workouts are typically hosted in the shallow ends of swimming pools, but they may be done in deeper water if participants are up for a challenge.

Continue reading to learn a few of the reasons adding water aerobics routines to your exercise regimen can enhance your fitness.

1. It Increases Flexibility

Flexibility is a must for any high-performing athlete. But it’s not just Olympic athletes who need to be flexible! Individuals who are flexible have an easier time getting around and are less likely to suffer from joint pain.

Water aerobics is a fantastic stretching workout for flexibility because the water gently pushes and pulls joints in motions they’re not typically used to. Your joints will become increasingly flexible as time goes on, making you more mobile both in and out of the water.

2. It’s a Social Activity

We love community workout classes because they bring residents together and help foster long-lasting friendships. Because all ages can participate, you’re sure to meet new people in your water aerobics classes that you might not see otherwise.

After your class ends, consider meeting up with a few of your new friends for a barbecue dinner or go for a relaxing soak in the hot tub!

3. It Reduces Stress

Stress and anxiety from our daily lives take a toll on us both physically and emotionally. While most workouts relieve stress by releasing serotonin in our brains, few are as beneficial as water aerobics exercises. The calming nature of water puts your mind and body at ease almost instantly.

4. It Builds Muscle Strength

Although you’ll feel relaxed and at ease while you’re in the water, these aerobic exercises will help you build up muscle strength with each class you attend. The weight of the water against your body adds up to 42 times the amount of resistance your body would experience if you were exercising outside of the pool.

You can continue to build muscle strength over time by incorporating increasingly heavy water aerobics equipment into your workout.

5. It’s a Low-Impact Workout

Water aerobics is also a low-impact cardio workout for beginners. Many workouts, like running, put a ton of stress on your joints due to gravity pulling your body down each time you land. While running is certainly a great cardio workout, it’s incredibly taxing on knees, ankles, and other joints.

When you’re doing water aerobic exercises, the water keeps you buoyant and counteracts the effects of gravity. You’ll get all the same cardio benefits of running without putting undue stress on your knees.

6. It Burns Calories

You might not feel like it because you’re in a refreshing pool, but you’ll burn a ton of calories during your water aerobic exercises. The number of calories you burn depends on how vigorous you get in the pool, but the average water aerobics workout burns anywhere from 400 to 600 calories in just an hour. That’s equivalent to one hour of running without all of the excess joint strain!

7. It’s a Wallet-Friendly Exercise

Joining a gym or buying expensive workout gear for at home-exercise is a significant barrier to entry for some people who want to get fit and improve their well-being. That’s not an issue with water aerobics! You can purchase weights, strength bands, and some other water aerobics equipment, but these exercises don’t necessarily require any gear to get a quality workout.

Start Your Water Aerobics Exercises at Christopher Todd Communities

Thanks to our resort-style pools, residents at Christopher Todd Communities have access to all sorts of water aerobic exercise classes. During your class, you’ll get an amazing workout for strength and flexibility while making some new best friends. Residents also have free use of fitness centers and yoga studios to stay in shape on dry land.

If you’re interested in doing exercises in the privacy of your own home, try some of our favorite 20-minute workouts that can be performed inside or outside in your spacious, fenced yard.