Underwater View of Water Aerobics
Water exercises are often times safer and more comfortable to do, especially for pregnant women and older individuals. They’re great if you suffer from arthritis or fibromyalgia, or back pain. You are less likely to injure yourself while working out in the water.
Arms
Toning your arms can be tricky. Begin by standing with your feet apart (in the water). Extend your arms straight out in front of you while holding a ball. Make sure your breathing stays rhythmically. Swing the ball in a figure-eight pattern through the water. Do you feel the varying resistance? You should feel it on your upper arms and upper body.
Make sure your movements are smooth and that you’re not straining your shoulders or back. Maintain a sturdy balance. If you are recently recovering from a shoulder injury, do not try this exercise without the aid of a physical therapist.
Water Marching
Begin by standing up straight and breathing evenly. Make continuous strides, as if marching in place. Extend your arms and legs as far as you can. The water will create a nice resistance for this workout. Stretch your limbs to the fullest, extending and pointing your toes, while pulling your arms vigorously back and forth. Begin by doing this exercise for approximately two minutes, or until the exercise makes you feel breathless.
Water Jumping Jacks
This exercise may be tricky at first. Don’t be discouraged! It takes practice and once you’ve mastered the skill, you’ll find it to be effective and easy. Start with your feet flat on the ground. Keep your arms relaxed and at your sides. Bend your knees and spring up off the bottom of the pool. Jump as high as you can. As you jump, kick your legs to the sides, pointing your toes downward and swinging your arms to the side and up over your head. Land with your knees and feet apart. Repeat up to 10 times.
Waist Trimmer
Start with your back against the poolside. Keep your arm along the edge for support and draw your knees to your chest. Extend your legs straight ahead. Inhale while swinging your legs to your left and then back to your right, back to the center again. As you exhale, move your legs to the front and withdraw to your chest. Repeat this 10 times.
Total Body Stretch
Facing the side of the pool, grip on the edge with your hands. Bend your knees and press your feet against the poolside as you inhale. While exhaling, move your hips back. Avoid locking your knees or straining your back. Repeat 10 times.
Standing Kickbacks
Stand approximately an arm’s length away from the pool side. Keep your shoulders relaxed with your feet together and your arms hanging at your sides. Continue breathing normally. Rest both of your hands against the pool side at shoulder height. Keeping your arms straight, bend your knees a little, raise your left leg and swing it gently back. Keep your supporting leg bent slightly, but don’t raise your leg too high. Repeat five times for each leg.
Floating
Relaxation is extremely important to working out in the water. Float through the water and allow your body to relax fully. You’ll be amazed at how relaxed and invigorated you feel when it’s all said and done.
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