Water Exercise??

[jepsyba 0]

Okay so I am starting a new program today after work. It is an aquajog/aerobic class and I was wondering if anyone has done anything like this. I love swimming, I always have. I don't see it as excersice or something hard or anything like that. I am trying to figure out what has taken me so long to jump into it (no pun intended.. haha) but for me this seems like my obvious solution to bump up my cardio movement and get my workouts in regularly.. Any thoughts are appreciated on this... Thanks so much.

Edited September 11, 2008 by jepsyba

[RAINWI 4]

Hi,

I just joined my Water aerobics class at the YMCA and have gone two times this week. I love it and its harder than you think. We use weights and boards for resistance in the water. I hope you like it as much as I do. I would go every day if I could. Im not so sure how it will work for weight loss but I think it will do wonders for shaping and toning.

[DivaStyleCoach 89]

Good afternoon Ladies,

As a former Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor, I can tell you that swimming and Water exercise are wonderful for supporting your joints, for helping you keep moving when weight-bearing exercise is harder because of painful feet or joints, but the weight loss comes a little harder.

The theory I have heard many times is that the water prevents your body from generating as much heat as you would on dry land. You won't sweat in the water the way you would out of the water and that may affect your total calorie burn.

I've always noticed that swimmers (think Olympic caliber, etc) though very fit, do not have the same muscle shape or density that track athletes have. I love to swim and feel it is excellent aerobic exercise, plus if you add resistance (the paddles used in swim exercise classes) it can be a very tough workout.:sleep:

Talk to your swim exercise instructor and ask them - also track your individual results. If water exercise is helping you to lose weight, tone and tighten, and you love doing it, then keep doing it! :rolleyes2: You may find at some point that you will move on to something else, but I am a big proponent of MOVING - however you do it. I wish I lived near a pool so I could swim more - I really miss it.

I was in the best shape of my life when I swam regularly - though I wasn't really defined (musculature). I do know guys that were competitive swimmers that had great muscle definition, but they were active in other sports as well.

NOTE: I am not a trainer or other physique professional - this has just been my experience. Maybe some other more qualified individuals will weigh in with a different opinion...:thumbup:

[Boo Boo Kitty 3]

I must agree that Water exercise is great! I love it! I do water aerobics and swim laps. It is good on my knees. I do agree it is much harder than you think it would be! :rolleyes2:

[tapshoes 2]

I too was looking at the calendar of classes from my Y, and spied a waterjog class. Perhaps I shall take one to see if I like it, or am at least willing to do it more than once!

[jepsyba 0]

Okay folks.. so last night was the first night of class.. It was a little intimidating but overall.. I LOVED IT!!!!!!!!! I know that for good and steady weightloss I will have to combine land and water.. I know that I can't completely get the impact i need for my bones in the Water but hey.. i moved for a solid hour yesterday with no rest and at the weight I am............That was amazing. It gives me more hope than I have ever had that this will be a successful attempt to become healthy. I know that there isn't a magic schedule that if you do this, this and this you will lose weight and keep it continual.. I know I am babbling but i had a blast and well........ IT WAS SO FUN!!!!

[health4life 0]

I LOVE aqua aerobics!!! I can't wait to get back into it. Weight loss is slower, but if you walk or do another form of cardio in conjunction with it you should lose steadily and tone. Any form of exercise in the Water I love.

[lizbuff 0]

:thumbup:I LOVE doing Water aerobics. We have a pool so last year I bought the belt, weights, etc. and do it at home. Unfortunately, we just closed the pool (not heated) for the winter. We don't have a Y or anything around here, so hubby and I just dusted off our bikes and started riding today.

My grandkids think it's really neat to watch me work out in the pool. They even try the weights in the shallow end after I'm done. I don't know how much it will help in the weight loss, but it sure won't hurt. I have fibromyalgia and it is about the only exercise that doesn't cause some sort of flare up.