Water aerobics classes are available at community centers and public pools, with shallow and deep water options. Deep water classes require equipment like a kick board or water noodle. The low-impact exercise is suitable for all ages and fitness levels, with the potential to burn 300-700 calories per hour. Classes typically include warm-up, cool-down, and midsection exercises, but may not always have music. Beginners should start with moderate movements.
When you are considering taking water aerobics classes, you should expect to take them at a community center or other public pool location. These classes can cost a little more than a regular public swim session, but usually a water aerobics class is reasonably priced. You should be able to choose between shallow and deep water aerobics classes at most public recreation facilities.
Deep water aerobics means your feet won’t touch the pool floor, so if that makes you uncomfortable, starting with the shallow training class might be a good idea. Shallow water aerobics classes are performed with your feet touching the bottom of the pool. The water level is approximately at the chest. Jumping, marching motions, and leg crossings similar to land aerobics are common exercises in shallow water. Advanced shallow water aerobics sessions involve more detailed steps and elaborate arm movements than beginner classes.
When you’re ready to try deep water aerobics, you need to figure out what, if any, equipment you’ll need to bring to the classes. Some deep water aerobics classes include all-around use, while others do not. A kick board, hand buoy, or water noodle is needed to hold on to the bottom of the pool. While a kick board is flat and the buoys are often round to fit easily in either hand, a water noodle is cylindrical. It’s a flexible length of colorful foam that your arms can rest on to keep the rest of your body upright at the deep end; It is also called a pool noodle and can be used in arm movements in shallow water aerobics classes.
Since exercising in the water is much easier on the joints than workouts on land, you can expect people of different mobility levels in your classes. Water aerobics classes are often considered ideal for the elderly and obese, as well as those with joint conditions such as arthritis. You can expect to burn around 300 to 700 calories during a one-hour aqua aerobics session, but this amount will depend on your age and fitness level, as well as the pace of each individual class.
Warm-up and cool-down exercises with a more intense midsection make up the basic class of water aerobics. Within those general guidelines, the speed of the movements varies depending on the instructor. You shouldn’t expect all water aerobics classes to have music playing during your workout. If that’s important to you, checking ahead is a good idea. Especially if you are new to aerobics or regular exercise, start with moderate movements instead of overdoing it in the first few classes or you may find that your legs feel weak when you get out of the water.
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