Types of Water Aerobics – Find the Right One for You

Are you looking at water aerobics as a form of regular exercise? If so, finding the right type for you is a good idea. Here are some of the types of water aerobics.

1. Land Exercises
Doing land exercises in the water gives them a whole new twist. Generally speaking, land exercises done in water have a different effect on the body than they do when done on land. Water provides support and resistance, creating an environment entirely different than air. This means these traditional land exercises may provide more strengthening and benefits. Some of the land exercises you can do in water include the following.

-Jumping Jacks
Do these like you would jumping jacks on land – just make sure no one is nearby who doesn’t want to be splashed!

-Squats
You can do these in the water, too – in chest-high water, bend your knees until the water comes up to your neck. It’s a good idea to hold onto the side of the pool.

-Kickboxing
The moves involved in kickboxing are said to have significant benefits, even over and beyond the benefits of doing them on land. Water helps you keep your balance, too.

-Bicycling
Leaning back against the side of the pool or flotation device, you can move your legs in a bicycle motion for a great aerobic workout.

2. Water-Specific Exercises
Some exercises can only be done in water, and they have particular benefits and uses. Here are some of them.

-Moguls
Moguls are aerobic exercises that involve jumping backward, forward, and side-to-side, all while your feet are together. Think skiing – when a skier goes down a hill, he or she moves the legs side to side and bends at the hips, but the feet stay together on the skis. Moguls are said to be very good for the legs.

-Tuck and Hold
This exercise works the core muscles. You pull your knees up to your chest and try to stay floating as long as you can without getting out of the position.

3. Swimming
In all this discussion about water exercise, it’s easy to overlook the obvious – swimming! If you are not good at swimming long distances, start doing what you can. Slowly increase the distance or number of laps around the pool each time to gradually increase your endurance.

Learning different strokes is also a good way to work different areas of the body in addition to endurance training.