The Benefits of Aquatic Exercise

I was recently inspired to write about aquatic exercise when a family member started a new weekly exercise routine in the pool and instantly fell in love with it!

If you're looking for a low-impact and safe way to improve your physical health, aquatic exercises might be just what you need. This does not necessarily mean swimming laps or particular strokes; group or individual strength and mobility workouts in waist-deep, chest-deep, or deep-end water can work just as well for improving your health and wellness.Below we will explore some of the many benefits and learn why it's a great option for people of all ages and fitness levels.

Low-Impact Exercise: Our body’s buoyancy in water reduces the impact of exercise on joints, making it an ideal option for those with joint pain or arthritis. The resistance of water also provides a workout that is gentle on the joints but still provides a challenge.

 Pain Relief: The pressure on our body when submerged in water can help reduce pain and inflammation, making it a great option for people with conditions such as back pain, arthritis, and chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia. Depending on your pool, the warmth of the water can also help soothe aching muscles.

Improved Range of Motion: The low resistance of water makes it easier to move your joints through a full range of motion. This makes it a great option for people who are recovering from an injury or surgery. Consequently, you can improve mobility and reduce the risk of re-injury by practicing getting through greater motion of our joints.

Boosts Cardiovascular Health: Aquatic exercises can provide a great cardiovascular workout that may improve your heart health, reduce the risk of heart disease, and manage body weight.

Social Connections: Aquatic exercise is also a fantastic mode of exercise to do with others as it is easy to make social connections when there are fewer distractions, such as our personal electronic devices.

In summary, aquatic exercises offer a range of benefits for people of all ages and fitness levels. If you're looking for a low-impact and safe way to improve your physical health, this type of exercise is definitely worth considering. If you have any medical conditions, questions, or concerns be sure to talk to a member of your personal medical team before starting a new exercise program.

- Thanks for reading and keep looking for more posts in the future on other ‘hot topics’ in the world of Physiotherapy and Physical Rehabilitation!