Aquatic exercise for weight loss has become very popular for all ages and all levels of fitness. Public pools and recreational centers are generally available in most cities. Adult education classes are often offered to teach swimming.
When you step into a pool, magic things begin to happen. Most significantly, your body’s weight reduces to one-tenth of your original poundage. Your body’s natural buoyancy keeps you afloat and reduces your risk of injury.
Of all the aquatic activities, swimming laps is by far the most popular, with water aerobics coming in a close second.
Swimming, an excellent cardiovascular activity, improves your body’s ability to use oxygen.
This activity is one of the few that works the entire body and is considered a rare lifetime sport.
Offering many benefits, aquatic exercise for weight loss:
- Builds muscle strength
- Improves endurance and flexibility
- Promotes good posture
- Reduces resting heart rate
- Tones upper and lower body
- Alleviates stress on the bones and joints
- Promotes balance
- Reduces resting respiratory rate
- Increases blood flow to the lungs
- Burns maximum calories
Swimming is relatively easy to master and requires minimal equipment. Age is not a factor in swimming as it appeals to the very young and the very old.
Calories Burned in 30 minutes(based on 150 pound person):
- Swimming laps vigorously = 450
- Swimming breaststroke = 450
- Swimming the crawl = 360
- Swimming leisurely in lake or ocean = 270
Exercising in the water is not limited to just swimming laps. Water walking and jogging have become popular as well as water aerobics, water yoga, and deep water running. Special equipment is now readily available to help in these activities.
