Good Exercise May Begin with Water
By Tom Herrin
When people think about exercise, they may think about water. The need to drink plenty is always important. It is often hard to get enough, but that is usually the extent of their concern about water. There is more to it than that. For those starting an exercise program, water can be the best resource available. Drinking plenty is important, but actually exercising in the water can have some great benefits as well. Water aerobics have become pretty popular. There are also other games and activities that take place in the water. They are especially good for those who may be recovering from injuries or have some other kind of limiting factor to consider.
It Saves Wear on the Body
When people exercise in the water, the buoyancy helps to support their weight. This combats the struggle so many have with gravity. Their efforts can be concentrated on moving through the water. It provides an amazing amount of resistance without the physical stress that so many have to deal with in other types of exercise. It also keeps the body cooler as it is worked. This can help to avoid the problems that many have with excessive heating.
It Can Burn Calories
The resistance of the water creates quite a bit of force against the body. Moving requires using muscles that may not otherwise be used in normal activities. This can burn several hundred calories in an hour, being active in water often seems much easier for that length of time than other activities that are not in water.
It Can Lower Blood Pressure
When exercising in the water, the water pressure itself can work with the blood in helping the circulation. This can help to reduce the blood pressure and slow the heart rate. Both of these things mean less work on the heart, saving it from excess stress. Add to this the fact that most of us enjoy being in the water and it makes it quite a practical form of exercise. We can usually relax while in the water as well, so we can easily transition from exercise to relaxation without changing our surroundings. Since all we need is a pool or some other body of water, it is pretty easy to find a place to participate.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Redmond, Wash.