Water Aerobics, often referred to as Aqua Aerobics or Aquasize can be a fun and cool way to work out in the hot summer months in Florida. People of ages can benefit from water aerobics. Low impact water aerobics are wonderful for the elderly. It can help to achieve a cardiovascular workout without the risk of injury or stress to the bones and joints. Athletes can cross-train by taking high impact stresses off the body when performing explosive exercises in the water. The effects of gravity are reduced in the water therefore reducing the impact on the body while at the same time the resistance is increased due to fluid dynamics. Water aerobics decreases the body weight from 50-90% depending on how deep the body is submerged in the water.

A water aerobics class can actually burn more calories than a land-based class due to the increase in movement of the water. That is why water aerobics is best performed in chest deep water so that maximum benefits can be achieved.

However, it is not necessary to be able to swim to participate in water aerobics or you can participate in waist high water. Some specific benefits of water aerobics:

• Reduces impact on joints
• Reduces stress on the joints by decreasing weight bearing
• Tones muscles
• Improves balance and posture
• Increase flexibility and joint range of motion
• Provides cardiovascular conditioning
• Provides muscular strength and endurance training
• Shallow water walking can strengthen large muscle groups which will enhance walking and balance.
• Water aerobics is great for persons suffering from arthritis.

The Florida Yacht Club will be offering Aqua Aerobics after Memorial Day on Tuesday and Thursday’s at 9:45 -10:45 AM. For more information, contact Alisa Blanchard, Director of Fitness. We hope to see you in the pool this summer!

Alisa Blanchard
Fitness Director
(904) 387-1653
ablanchard@thefloridayachtclub.org