Exercise in the Water

Our body is 75-80% water, so it is easy for us to feel “like a fish in water” in it. Discover all the advantages of exercising in the aquatic environment.

When we get into the water, the pressure exerted by our body is distributed over the areas that are submerged. In addition, there is a vertical force that goes in the opposite direction to gravity and that allows us to float. Therefore, any movement that takes place in the aquatic environment is easier to carry out.

WaterIn addition, it supports the weight of the body and, therefore, facilitates the increase of the joint movement angle, improves stability and balance and increases muscle tone. On the other hand, the impact on the joints is reduced, so being low-impact activities they do not suffer and it allows us to work in a way that outside the aquatic environment would be unfeasible.

For poorly trained people, it is the ideal way to start their sports practice. It is a pleasant, relaxing and fun environment. That keeps us motivated to move the body for long periods of time and thus increase the benefits that are obtained with exercise.

For all

Exercising in the water is indicated from childhood, even for older people. But far from what many think, it is not an exclusive activity for but we can all benefit from its practice.

But before starting to practice, it is important to ask yourself: what is our goal - what do we want to achieve? And, in what state of health and preparation are we at the moment of starting the activity? The answer to these questions will be basic to assess what the indications or recommendations are at the individual level.

Not just swimming

In the water, not all the activity that can be developed is swimming. It is true that it is a very complete exercise and that it brings great global benefits, but we can also exercise in other ways that, for many, are more enjoyable. This is the case of “aquatic gymnastics or aquagym”. In addition, we also find aquatic therapy focused on rehabilitation or preventive in nature.

• If we do not have health problems but our level of preparation is low: it is advisable to start with activities that are not very demanding at a cardiovascular and endurance level, that is, where a great physical background is not required and that allows you to make the most of the minutes that let's dedicate to it. The ideal is to start with classes directed by aquagym focused on toning and in which medium intensity cardiovascular activity is also combined. In this way, we manage not to "abandon the first change" since it will be enjoyable and easy for us and we will constantly notice an improvement in our general condition. The first impression is that our agility improves and that every time we "hold on" more and better without that feeling that we are "drowning" and short of breath.
• If we have a good physical background: water also helps and what should be done is to seek greater demand both at the cardiovascular level and in strength-resistance to obtain better results. There are activities with music, choreographed, and that use additional equipment (boards, mittens, steps ...) designed precisely to increase the resistance against which we work. There is even an aquatic spinning mode, perfect for burning calories.
• If we prefer an individual activity, either because we do not like group classes or because our schedules do not adapt to those offered, we should not think of swimming as the only option. There is an activity known as “waterwalking”(Walking in the water) where we will burn between 300-500 cal / h and which is ideal to put our heart in shape. If we want to increase our performance and our effort a little more, we can dare with “water jogging or cross training” that helps to maintain the balance of the muscle groups in general and reinforce those that we do not usually use in the race and in this way we let them that if we use they relax.
• For those people who have a health problem or pathology, it is essential to ask for a medical opinion in this regard, either from your doctor or from the doctor who has the sports center itself.

Of interest

As we have commented at the beginning, in principle the activity in water is suitable for the entire population but each pathology or problem has its characteristics. For example, in people with la is ideal but the temperature at which the water is must be taken into account, and the same happens in o.

Thus, for all the benefits that we have discussed, it is advisable to assess the possibility of getting into the water no matter how old we are.