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Aquatic Fitness Is A Winner Among Baby Boomers.

The benefits of exercising in water are many. It's therapeutic,stress relieving, social, comfortable and highly effective. The term Aquatic is applied to different forms of training from lap swimming, water walking to group aquatic fitness classes taught in many YMCA's and other gyms worldwide.

Lap swimming and water walking are great for cardiovascular endurance. This type of exercise strengthens the heart and lungs and improves the body's ability to use oxygen. Over time, this form of aerobic activity can help decrease your heart rate and blood pressure at rest and improve your breathing. Always start slow and gradually increase the time you workout so that you can still maintain a conversation without being out of breath.

Exercising in water will increase muscular strength. Because the water is a thicker medium than air, by moving in the water the amount of resistance from the water can range from 4 to 44 times that of air. Using the resistance of the water in exercise is like exercising with weights or machines on land, but safer. The buoyancy factor makes it much easier on your joints and muscles. While you are in chest deep water, approximately 90% of your body weight is buoyant, therefore you really are bearing

only 10% of your weight when you exercise. This is one reason why it is a first choice exercise option for people with injuries or pain associated with arthritis and other related ailments. Also, the cooling and massaging effects of exercising in the water make it a great place to workout without feeling fatigued.

Aquatic group classes are fun and can help increase cardiovascular endurance, muscle strength, flexibility, coordination, agility power, and balance while socializing with other like-minded people that want the same benefits that you do.

: Before starting this or any exercise program, get a doctor's approval. Here are some helpful hints to keep your water workouts safe and effective:

# BREATHE! Don't forget to keep your breathing steady and take deep breaths. On a high intensity workout, remember to blow your air out when you exert the most energy. A great way to remember to breathe is to talk periodically while you are exercising. You should never exercise so hard that you can't talk without gasping for breaths.

# DRINK WATER! Even though you are exercising in the water, your body still perspires losing significant amounts of body fluid Remember to consume several glasses of water a few hours before and after each class. You do not want to dehydrate.

# AVOID CAFFEINE! Caffeine is a diuretic; therefore it would be beneficial for you to avoid consumption of caffeine for at least two hours before and after your workout.

# WEAR FOOTWEAR! Wearing some type of footwear during your workout will help prevent slippage, give your feet support, and protect your feet from pool to locker. Please remember to use your aquatic footwear in the pool and locker area only; not outside.

# PROTECT YOUR HAIR AND SKIN! It is beneficial for you, if your going to get your hair wet, to rinse your body and hair with fresh water before and after your workout. Rinsing your hair and skin with fresh water will help prevent the absorption of chemicals from the pool.

# GET APPROPRIATE REST! Research shows you need at least eight hours of sleep a night for health and well being.

Let's face it, exercise slows down the aging process and keeps you feeling and looking younger. That's reason enough for me. Also, the healthier you are, the less money spent on doctor bills and medications and the more time, vitality and finances you have to do things you enjoy.