Ok, so you’re getting on in years and can’t quite “trip the light fantastic” the way you used to. All you seem to be able to do now is just trip. Well, don’t give up just yet: you don’t have to say goodbye to those push-ups, pull-ups, squats, curls and all those exercises you did in your youth. You can still do them now, just by moving your act to the pool!

Exercises done to improve the heart function and circulatory system are called Aerobic. Those exercises, done in a water environment, like a pool, are called Aqua Aerobics. Because these movements are easy on the body and not at all strenuous to perform— they’re called low impact. People who hate exercise usually love low-impact aerobic exercises.
And why shouldn’t they? Many water aerobics include kung-fu type movements and dance steps that are really fun to do. The exercises, using the resistance of the water, are designed to give you a really good workout that will leave you energetic, feeling great—and if they’re done correctly, they can be very beneficial.
Aqua aerobics can help your body burn more calories. They help you lose weight. They strengthen and tone your muscles.  You can accomplish all of this while basking in the healthy outdoors, breathing in fresh air, tanning your body and getting your 20-minute intake of what’s getting to be known as “the immunity builder”-- Vitamin D! Try getting that in an indoor health and fitness club.
These exercises are done in chest-deep water and even though you’re not using barbells or dumbbells, they really do strengthen and add muscle mass. Instead of weights, the resistance to overcome is provided by the water. One leg kick in the water might be equal to ten leg kicks out of the water.
Exercises are usually done without pool equipment at first; then later, hand paddles, feet flippers, different kinds of floats and weights are added. That’s the underwater equivalent of adding lead weights to your dumbbells; the additional weight serves to increase the resistance as you continue to work out. For a little variation, exercises are done at different water depths, providing additional challenges to overcome. And don’t worry, knowing how to swim is unnecessary.
An aerobic water exercise class of around 30 minutes will help you burn about 300 calories. Most classes will run a bit longer because they include warm-up and cool-down periods, along with stretching exercises before the regimen starts. The exercise movements include jogging, kicking, jumping, squats, and dance movements, usually accompanied by music with a beat that fits the exercise.
If you don’t have classes in your area, a simple way of incorporating water exercises into your lifestyle is simply walking, jogging or running in water. A lake or ocean will do if you can’t get to a pool. If you can, start at the shallow end , increasing the depth as you get stronger. If you do have classes in your area, that’s even better. Jump into it-- it’s the healthiest, easiest and safest way to get fit and stay that way!

by Bruce Heath, DnC