Aqua Jogging Exercise for Longer Healthier Life

Millions of active adults are finding that one of the secrets to a longer healthier life can be found at the local pool. Research shows that a regular water exercise program can slow down and even turn back the aging clock. Aqua jogging in deep water offers the cardiovascular conditioning of aerobics, the strength training of lifting weights, and the stretching benefits of yoga all in one, 30-minute workout.
It’s never too late to take the plunge and begin enjoying water’s age-defying benefits.

Principles and Benefits of Aquatic Environment for Rehabilitation

Usually when you are up to your neck in something you’re in trouble, but research shows that being up to your neck in water may be just what you need. Dr. Bruce E. Becker, who has published, taught, and researched extensively on aquatics, wrote an article titled “Considering the Biologic Aspects of Water” which was published in April 1995 in Advance for Directors in Rehabilitation. His article included the latest information and research on the physiological changes that occur when the body is immersed in water. The following points are summarized from Dr. Becker’s article to provide you the benefit of his observations.

Water Walking

Water fitness is one of the fastest growing low-impact activities in the country. Here’s why millions are taking the plunge.
Water walking is an effective workout, is easy to learn and requires no swimming skills.
Vertical water fitness combines the toning of weight training, the cardio benefits of aerobics and the enhanced flexibility gained through yoga - in one, 30-minute fat-burning workout.

Aquatic Fitness - The Gentle Way to Get Fit

Who does not want to be fit and healthy? But what do you do if your usual training programme on land gets too monotonous or your joints actually start to ache? A good alternative is to work out in water, the healing effects of which many cultures have taken advantage of for over 2500 years.

The term aqua fitness encompasses the modern versions of traditional water aerobics, which range from gentle exercise via muscle strengthening to intensive cardiovascular training. The American Olympian Mary Sanders sparked enthusiasm for aqua sports in the early 1990s. She developed a health-oriented whole body training programme in the water as part of the course that she later taught at the University of Reno. Now, aqua fitness programmes are often standard in many fitness studios, swimming clubs as well as hotels and sports centres all over the world.

Water Exercise and Fibromyalgia Pain

Water exercise or water aerobics is the easiest workout for people with fibromyalgia pain

Warm water can be very comforting. The exercise gets blood flow to muscles and tendons. And if you're in the water, your joints are not being stressed during exercise. Water offers resistance, which helps muscles get stronger.
You don’t need to know how to swim for a water exercise class. In some classes, you work out in shallow water with your head completely above water. In other water aerobic classes, you bob in deep water (with foam belt or life jacket).
The natural buoyancy of water helps you move so you can do exercises that would otherwise be painful. These exercises can be done with an instructor or physical therapist in a heated facility or in a pool.
We're talking 30 minutes, four times a week. That's all. It can make a big difference.

Fibromyalgia - Exercise in warm water is good start, study says

by medical journalist Evra Taylor Levy and emergency physician Eddy

In the world of medicine, many diseases and conditions are clear-cut and relatively easy to diagnose and treat. Unfortunately, fibromyalgia isn't one of these, but the ambiguity of the symptoms doesn't diminish the very real pain its sufferers experience. This week's HealthWatch takes a closer look at this debilitating illness and some recent research that suggests relief might be found at the pool.

What is fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is an increasingly common chronic condition that has stricken roughly 3% of world population. It afflicts women at least four times more often than men and often occurs after the age of 50, sometimes worsening with age.
It affects the muscles and tendons and ligaments, which connect muscles to bones. Its main symptoms are fatigue, muscle spasms, weakness, stiffness, and pain in the joints and muscles in areas of the body known as trigger points or tender points. Some of these are located in the neck, shoulder, back and thighs and can be extremely sensitive to even light touch. Rheumatologists, who are the doctors specialized in the care of this condition, make the diagnosis in part by probing these points: a painful reaction is often a sign of fibromyalgia.
There isn't one definitive cause of fibromyalgia, but physical trauma, like a car accident, can trigger it.

Water Exercise Guide

••••••• L E G S •••••••

Running and Walking:

Position your body with your head, shoulders, hips, and feet vertically aligned. Using a modified running/marching motion, coordinate your leg and arm movements as in running.

Cross Country Ski:
Body is vertically aligned and legs and arms are straight. Scissor legs forward and backward from the hip, leading with your toes. Coordinate the arms and legs as in Cross Country Skiing.

Sit Kicks:
Sit as if in a straight back chair with your thighs stabilized. Alternating legs, kick out from the knee, then pull your heel back as if trying to kick your buttocks. Try to make the water boil in front of you.

PowerStick

Aqua Trend Water Workout Station

Aqua Gym

Aqua aerobics

Aqua aerobics is the performance of aerobic exercise in shallow water such as a swimming pool. In some areas it is known as AquaFit or "water aerobics", and is a type of resistance training.
Aqua aerobic workouts usually combine a variety of techniques from land aerobics, including walking or running backward and forward, jumping jacks, mimicking cross-country skiing, along with various arm movements. The workout also may incorporate equipment such as flotation devices.
In addition to the standard benefits of any exercise, the use of water in aqua aerobics supports the body and reduces the risk of muscle or joint injury. The mitigation of gravity by flotation stretching, and can allow a greater range of motion. The mitigation of gravity makes aqua aerobics safe for any individual able to keep their head out of water, including the elderly. Exercise in water can also prevent overheating through continuous cooling of the body. Most classes last for 45-55 minutes.
Aqua aerobics requires access to a pool either in the home or via facilities, and in addition to any membership fees to access facilities, classes may cost extra. Although aquatic exercise greatly reduces the risk of injury, not as many calories are burned as would be in some other activities. Though aquatic activities in general expend more energy than many land-based activities performed at the same pace due to the increased resistance of water, the speed with which movements can be performed is greatly reduced.

Low Impact Water Aerobics

If you want to do aerobics but find that they are just too difficult for you, then there is a solution. It is called low impact water aerobics. These don’t require that you do high impact strenuous exercises that leave you feeling tired and sore. This is the main reason that people give up and stop their exercise program. It is just too hard to continue for a long period of time for many people. If you find that you fall into this category then you will find that low impact water aerobics can provide you with many benefits. They will help you stay in form without as many problems.

People love the fact that low impact aerobics don’t make you feel so sore and drained of energy like high impact aerobics do. You don’t have to try and do all the jumping around which makes it safer for people with weak joints and muscles. Some parts of the low impact water aerobics are very similar to other programs. For example, you will have warm ups, stretching and cool down exercises. Many water aerobics include dance steps that make it fun to do. You will receive a really good workout that will leave you energetic and feeling wonderful. Most of them also last for around forty-five minutes.

If done correctly low impact water aerobics can be very beneficial. They will help your body burn more calories and help you to lose weight and feel better. They are much easier to perform and help to improve the cardiovascular muscles. These exercises are done in chest deep water and really do help to strengthen your muscles. Your muscles will become more flexible while you are building up their strength. The resistance that the water provides helps out in this area but does not put pressure on your body that can cause you to become sore.

People of all ages can receive benefits from these exercises, even children. Low impact water aerobics are wonderful for elderly people that can’t do other more strenuous ones. It can help them to stay in form without running the risk of doing damage to their bones or joints. It is also wonderful for pregnant women because it is safe for the baby. Anyone that has been sick or that is simply out of form can also benefit greatly from low impact water aerobics. Basically, if you want to get in form the fun, exciting and safe way, then low impact water aerobics may be what you are searching for, you should give it a try.