Aqua aerobics: advantages and benefits of water gymnastics
Water aerobics and other aquatic gymnastics represent the transposition into water (swimming pool or sea) of disciplines generally practiced in the gym.
Various accessories can be used to carry out the exercises: palms, webbed gloves, belts, weights, floating tubes or larger tools such as the step for the aquastep or a bike for the aquabike.
As far as clothing is concerned, a cap and a bathing suit are enough.
Acquagym: many activities, many benefits
Water aerobics has led to the creation of numerous courses, very different and all effective: you can practice in the water almost all the fitness courses normally taught in the gym. Attention, however: the names of the courses that we indicate below are not fixed and may vary according to the sports center that organizes them. Furthermore, water aerobics is a highly recommended sport even during pregnancy.
The benefits of this discipline concern first of all muscle strengthening: it involves carrying out movements that aim to tone different parts of the body, with or without accessories, remaining more or less immersed in water. If you aim to tone and strengthen your muscles, choose a course of water aerobics, aquafitness, acquabody, acquatonic.
Other benefits of water aerobics are obtained at the cardiorespiratory level: with the help of music, you move a lot to train your heart, improve your breath and burn calories. The specific courses of acquadance, acquabiking, aquajogging are very suitable for this purpose.
Aquagym also focuses on exercises that combine muscle strengthening and cardiorespiratory exercise: with a lot of intensity and thanks to music, the effort is concentrated on different muscle groups. According to your preferences and objectives, you can choose between aquafighting, acquastep, acquapower, acquapunching, acquaboxing.
Finally, the relaxation function should not be underestimated: some courses such as acquayoga, acquastretching and acquarelax offer work of alignment, breathing, balance and stretching to gently tone and promote relaxation:
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How long does it take to get the benefits of water aerobics?
The results of water aerobics as regards muscle strengthening and toning begin to be visible from the first sessions. However, if your primary goal is weight loss, you will need to have a little more patience: water aerobics, as good part of sports requires a lot of constancy and a certain frequency.To obtain visible results in terms of weight, you will have to practice it at least three times a week for a few months.
The advantages of water aerobics
Training in the water rather than in the gym is beneficial for several reasons and has many advantages:
- Trauma is limited: in water you weigh only 10% of your body weight, so the risk of trauma and injuries is minimized. This is why water aerobics is an ideal discipline for everyone: pregnant, overweight, convalescent women.
- The movements are facilitated: since you are lighter in the water, the exercises are easier to perform and, above all, the extension of the movement is greater.
- The body is toned evenly: all muscles are used to move in the water, without realizing it. The body becomes toned and harmonious.
- Calories are burned because the body defends itself from the temperature of the water. Furthermore, the water resists movement, forcing the muscles to work harder and the body to spend more energy.
- The venous circulation is improved: the pressure of the water and the hydromassage created by the movements stimulate the return of blood towards the heart. The ankles are well drained as the water pressure is greater in depth.
- It is relaxing: the water is well heated, which promotes muscle and psychological relaxation. Pain, stiffness and stress are relieved.
The benefits of water aerobics against cellulite
Fighting cellulite is certainly one of the most sought after goals by those who begin to practice water aerobics: the movements in the water, in fact, combine the benefits of a normal aerobic activity (with improved circulation and elimination of toxins) to those of a real own draining massage due to immersion in water. A real cure-all against cellulite!
And if you suffer from this problem, try to help you, as well as with water gymnastics, with a natural do-it-yourself treatment like the one we recommend:
The benefits of water aerobics on the back
Water aerobics is ideal for those suffering from back pain. The water, by releasing the body weight, makes the training lighter for the skeletal structure, relieving the muscular work and therefore giving less load to the back.
The back muscles are toned up by the water aerobics exercises and are therefore able to strengthen and reduce chronic pain. Furthermore, the same exercises give it greater flexibility, giving elasticity to the musculoskeletal structure.
Finally, it is the same gradual weight loss that sport promises to relieve the back of excessive load.
Aquagym: contraindications
Now let's look at what are the limits and contraindications (really few) of this sport: first of all, if done in the pool, it could cause skin irritation due to chlorine.
You will also have to make sure that the hygienic conditions of the sports center are excellent in order not to incur fungi and annoying infections.
At the sea, however, be careful not to get burned: if there is a very strong sun, the water works like a mirror and the risk of burns and redness is quite high!
Finally, as previously mentioned, it is not the most suitable sport for losing weight very quickly.
Where to practice water aerobics?
Numerous structures (swimming pools, aquatic centers, sports centers, holiday centers) offer courses in water aerobics and other aquatic disciplines.
Find out, and before signing up for a class, try at least one lesson to see if you like the discipline and the way the instructor teaches it.
Finally, to be really fit, don't forget to take care of your nutrition:
