How To

How to Use Water Aerobics to Burn Calories

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(1 Ratings)

Water aerobics is becoming more and more popular as a way to burn calories. It used to be thought of as not much of a workout. That information is not correct. Water aerobics are an excellent way to burn calories and tone up. It just takes a dip in the pool to get started.

From Quick Guide: Water Works: Water Aerobics
Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Water or aqua shoes (optional)
  • Access to a pool
  1. Step 1

    Find a water aerobics class in your area to join. Search for public pools, health club facilities and even country clubs. Most instructors of water aerobics prefer indoor pools so that the temperature of the water can be regulated for the benefit of the workouts.

  2. Step 2

    Start in the pool water that is approximately chest deep. The instructor will take the class through various warm up exercises and progress into exercises that will get your heart rate accelerated just as it would in an aerobics class indoors on dry land.

  3. Step 3

    Notice the resistance the water adds while doing exercises like walking, jogging, bouncing and sprinting. You are burning more calories per minute by doing these exercises with the water resistance than by doing them on dry land. In addition, you are working more groups of muscles as by doing the movements in water takes more effort due to the resistance.

  4. Step 4

    Relieve the pressure from body weight in water aerobics compared to the same type exercises on dry land. Your joints, such as your knees, hips and ankles, are not under such stress as the water makes your body more buoyant. This really helps to alleviate sore and strained muscles and lessens chances of injury.

  5. Step 5

    Advance in your skills doing water aerobics and speed up your calorie burn by adding water weights to your ankles, doing your jogging sequences in deeper water. Participate in water related group games, which adds lots of bouncing, stretching and quick movements. These more advanced movements in water aerobics classes can really be quite a workout and by doing them in the water, your body stays cool and refreshed.

Tips & Warnings
  • Do water aerobics year round at indoor pool facilities.
  • Always check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program.

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