It’s now been ten weeks since I first tried a water aerobics class, so I thought it was high time I did a bit of an “aqua update”.
Of course the $64 000 question is – am I still going regularly?
You bet!
I have *finally* found an exercise that I don’t mind, and have only missed one of my twice weekly classes so far.
Benefits of Water Aerobics
In fact, I’d even go so far as to say I’m *enjoying* it, and am really noticing some of the benefits! Things like:
- Focusing on my breathing and feeling my heart rate increase as I’m working out;
- How much more flexible my body feels;
- It’s a great way to start my day;
- I’ve noticed a difference in my fitness levels;
- I’m now doing an extra one and a half hours of physical activity each week;
- And while I’m a bit sad that I haven’t really lost any weight, I am definitely toning up and feeling better for it!
Perhaps the greatest benefit is that I no longer suffer from sore neck and shoulder muscles after sitting at my computer all day. Clearly the gentle exercise of aqua aerobics is helping to work all the kinks out and ease the tension I normally carry in that part of my body (just ask my massage therapist LOL).
It might be a gentle way to exercise but don’t be fooled – I still work up a sweat!
I love that it’s low impact – I can work my body hard and very rarely suffer any (and even then it’s minimal) pain afterwards – unlike a gym session. Whichever idiot said that “pain is gain”, has never tried aqua aerobics!
The sessions consist mostly of women aged in their 40’s and above. At first I couldn’t work out why that was, but there are several reasons:
- many of the women are retired so are able to do a class in the morning;
- older women are more likely to be in a flexible working situation/their own business so they can attend regularly;
- many of us don’t have to worry about periods anymore;
- we don’t have small children to look after;
- and being a gentler, less painful way to exercise, aqua aerobics definitely appeals to a more mature demographic!
There is one lady in my Tuesday class, who is 90! I’m so impressed by her – I want to be like that as I get older too.
I’m so glad I finally took the plunge (see what I did there, LOL) and gave aqua aerobics a try.
Although – I wonder how committed I will be when winter comes? The pool might be indoors and heated, but we will see …
Has anybody else done aqua aerobics through winter? Any tips?!
Linking up for IBOT with Kylie Purtell.