Water aerobics: Why you should try it

Would you like to attend a water aerobics course?

For guests of Hotel Caesius Terme & SPA Resort in Bardolino, Verona, it’s possible to join free water aerobics courses in the charming setting of Lake Garda throughout the summer season. Get ready to have fun and keep fit in an exclusive context of pleasure and well-being!


Find out more about the included services and free activities available here.

What is water aerobics?

Water aerobics became popular in France in the late 1980s thanks to the book "Aquagym" written by Christiane Gourlaouen. But it has much more ancient origins: historical sources attest that the Romans, the ancient Greeks, and even the Egyptians already carried out water exercises in the sea or in the pool.
Water aerobics, also known as aquafitness, is the water version of exercises that you can also perform in the gym or other sports activities and it involves the mobility of the whole body. It can be performed both free-body and with equipment such as pool noodles, weights, hoops, and mats.
Classes are usually held in groups and the water level reaches between the navel and the chest: you don’t need to know how to swim, but you may prefer to have good aquatic skills to feel comfortable in performing the exercises.

Discover the benefits

What’s better than losing weight and toning up your body? Here are all the benefits of water aerobics!

1.    It promotes circulation and fights cellulite
The movements performed in the water act as a draining massage that stimulates blood circulation and fights water retention. It is therefore a real panacea for cellulite!
2.    It helps burn calories
Water aerobics is the ideal sport activity for those who want to lose weight while having fun. Movements require a large contribution in terms of physical effort, helping to burn calories and encouraging weight loss.
3.    It tones muscles and improves posture
During water aerobics, all muscles are involved and are thus toned. This allows a harmonious development of the body: the muscles are strengthened and better support the bone structure, leading to an improvement in movement and posture.
4.    It fights arthrosis
Since body weight decreases by about 80% in the water, the joints are not overloaded: this allows you to move and loosen the knees, ankles, shoulders, and pelvis. Indeed, water aerobics is recommended to prevent and fight osteoarthritis, a disease caused by the loss of elasticity in the joints.
5.    It’s not a traumatic activity for your body
   The water cushions the shocks, thus avoiding strains and muscle soreness. The movements are fluid, and the joints can work delicately.
7.    It's good for everyone
The joints are not subjected to violent stresses. This makes water aerobics suitable for everyone, regardless of weight and age, including pregnant women! L’acquagym, quindi, è un'attività sportiva completa, che agisce efficacemente sia sul corpo che sulla mente: rinforza il sistema muscolare, stimola il ritmo cardiovascolare, migliora il ritmo respiratorio, la circolazione sanguigna e mette anche di buonumore!

How long does it take to see results?

As in all sports, it is important to carry out the activity frequently and consistently to maintain results over time: the advice is to practice water aerobics 2 or 3 times a week for at least six months. As for muscle toning and body strengthening, you can see the first results of water aerobics after just 4 weeks.​​​​​​​

How to do water aerobics

Warming up: Warm up the body by swimming, walking, or stretching for at least 5-10 minutes before starting any sport.
Breathing: control your breathing during exercises to oxygenate the body. Inhale before the effort and exhale during it.
With the correct posture: always keep your shoulders and back straight and contract your abs during the exercise.

Water aerobics instructors

It is important to be followed by qualified instructors during the water aerobics activity to obtain the best benefits and avoid incorrect exercises that could cause injuries, especially if you are a beginner.
Furthermore, it has been scientifically proven that the degree of involvement and concentration are higher if water aerobics is practiced in a group and with an instructor. This allows you to achieve greater results, for example, in weight loss and muscle tone.

Contraindications

Water aerobics has very few contraindications: it is not recommended for those suffering from cardiac or respiratory insufficiency and for people allergic to chlorine.
Pregnant women are advised to consult their gynecologist first.
In any case, it is always advisable to undergo a medical examination before starting any sporting activity, including water aerobics.

Alternative workouts to water aerobics

Gymnastics in the pool is not just water aerobics and over time various disciplines have been developed that have had both greater and worse success. For example, for a high-intensity cardio workout, the hydrobyke is very popular. This is a fitness tool similar to a bicycle but without wheels and it is essential for practicing aqua cycling or aquaspinning.
Aquaboxing, on the other hand, allows you to combine the benefits of movement in the water with the energy and adrenaline of a sporting fight: the perfect mix to burn calories, improve circulation and relieve stress.

To sum up, water aerobics is a complete sporting activity that acts effectively on both the body and the mind: it strengthens the muscular system, stimulates the cardiovascular rhythm, improves the respiratory rhythm, increases blood circulation, and also puts you in a good mood!