Water Aerobics

dark_sparkles37019

I am considering giving water aerobics a try..Anyone here have experience with it? I have a lot of weight to lose.

usmcmp

I started with water aerobics when I first got back to exercising. I enjoyed it.

dnunny70

Very much enjoyed it!!!

middlehaitch

usmcmp wrote: »

I started with water aerobics when I first got back to exercising. I enjoyed it.

I too started with aquafit. I had never exercised, was 54, and hated the thought of exercise.

I had just had a wake up call with weight gain so had decided to go to the pool with my SO. There was a aquafit class in progress. It looked like fun. I told SO that I was going to go to the next class and try it out. I went for a whole year.

Oh my, what a laugh. I kept floating around the pool, could follow the arm movements, but not the leg- absolutely no coordination. I was also puffing and panting after the first 10min. The only plus was, because I was in water I wasn't sweating.

I lasted that whole first class and came home quite euphoric.
That was my main exercise, other things were added in, 3x a week for the year I was losing weight. 8 years later it is still my back up/comfort exercise class.

Though it was a struggle at first, I gradually built up my stamina (felt no shame having to march in place for a couple of minutes here and there).

It also really helped with mobility, balance, and, because I was such a couch potato, muscle retention (and a small strength increase).

Give it a go. The classes are as mixed as any class I have ever attended- male and female, old and young, over and under weight, athletes, people in rehab, everyone and anyone goes to aquafit, and all are welcome.

Cheers, h.

69HealthyMe

I use to love water aerobics until my gym with a pool closed.

knightreader

give it a try. i know someone who loves it!

quansc

I love it!

danbark3

I mix in water aerobics with my land classes. I've been taking them for 2y and still love it!

ridiculous59

Our pool has "deep water running" classes. I did that three times a week the first couple of years I was losing weight and really liked it. I also had a lot of weight to lose. There were lots of people in the class like me and also some who, due to an injury, were no longer able to do other types of exercises. The hardest part is walking across the pool deck for the first time in a bathing suit! And then it becomes no big deal. Give it a try

kardsharp

I have some degenerative disks and I want to be able to get fitter while not messing up my neck. Since 2 of the most inspiring people on MFP started out with to, I think I'll give it a try.

jdubois5351

I loved water aerobics but couldn't continue because of the cost (too pricy here, unfortunately). It was great fun while it lasted and provided a great workout.

Leannep2201

I used to do it, and really enjoyed it. I’ve been meaning to go back, but am enjoying walking these days and am working on training for a trail walk, so haven’t got there yet!

debrakgoogins

Like others, I started with water fitness when I was getting back into exercising. It was wonderful. It's amazing how much cardio you can get from water jogging!

MostlyWater

If it works for you, go for it!

skinnyrev2b

I love it. I've got to the point now where I'm using two sets of weights at a time and in the deepest (=harder) part of the pool. One could almost say I've outgrown it, but I get such a buzz from the banter, the music and the fact that I don't feel sweaty. Not to mention that - for the first time in my exercise life - I actually feel like I'm one of the fitter ones in the class. This is after arriving in January as very much one of the more unfit participants. So it's been a great fitness journey and a fab motivator. Go for it.

jjf1125

I have been working out in a pool for the last two years. I have weak kneesand ankles and exercising in water reduces the stress. I have lost over 75 lbs so far.

callsitlikeiseeit

i did water zumba for a summer (with my regular workouts).

i enjoyed it, but i never felt like i got in a good workout.

but it was fun lol

middlehaitch

@callsitlikeiseeit, getting a good work out can definitely depend upon the instructor, and their reading of the class.

When aquafit was my 3x a week routine each class had a different instructor and, though well balanced work outs, one was a leg person, one arms, and one core. It made a really good mix.
They all also did the regular move and then showed the easy and hard variations.

I still think my aqua fit and belly dancing were my best core workouts, just because both depended so much on posture, the former balance as well.

I went to a few drop in sessions this year and found the newer instructors were more basic and I left the class feeling a little deflated.

I am starting back, Wednesday only (a replacement because can't fit my Sunday yoga in) in September and have already decided that I will probably have to be my own motivator to do the hard options, as the variants are often not given.

I find it is a class where you can do a lot, or do a little, depending on how much you want to push yourself, or if you know today you just need a good relaxing stretch.

Cheers, h.

callsitlikeiseeit

middlehaitch wrote: »

@callsitlikeiseeit, getting a good work out can definitely depend upon the instructor, and their reading of the class.

When aquafit was my 3x a week routine each class had a different instructor and, though well balanced work outs, one was a leg person, one arms, and one core. It made a really good mix.
They all also did the regular move and then showed the easy and hard variations.

I still think my aqua fit and belly dancing were my best core workouts, just because both depended so much on posture, the former balance as well.

I went to a few drop in sessions this year and found the newer instructors were more basic and I left the class feeling a little deflated.

I am starting back, Wednesday only (a replacement because can't fit my Sunday yoga in) in September and have already decided that I will probably have to be my own motivator to do the hard options, as the variants are often not given.

I find it is a class where you can do a lot, or do a little, depending on how much you want to push yourself, or if you know today you just need a good relaxing stretch.

Cheers, h.

i would have been probably 36/37 that summer and was definitely one of the younger members in the class. by a long shot. lolol

like i said it was fun and i enjoyed it and did 2 classes a week, but didnt replace my regular workouts with them. and it gave my kids a chance to play at the pool at the same time, so win-win, there lol

lorrpb

middlehaitch wrote: »

@callsitlikeiseeit, getting a good work out can definitely depend upon the instructor, and their reading of the class.

When aquafit was my 3x a week routine each class had a different instructor and, though well balanced work outs, one was a leg person, one arms, and one core. It made a really good mix.
They all also did the regular move and then showed the easy and hard variations.

I still think my aqua fit and belly dancing were my best core workouts, just because both depended so much on posture, the former balance as well.

I went to a few drop in sessions this year and found the newer instructors were more basic and I left the class feeling a little deflated.

I am starting back, Wednesday only (a replacement because can't fit my Sunday yoga in) in September and have already decided that I will probably have to be my own motivator to do the hard options, as the variants are often not given.

I find it is a class where you can do a lot, or do a little, depending on how much you want to push yourself, or if you know today you just need a good relaxing stretch.

Cheers, h.

@middlehaitch Perhaps you could talk to the instructor and ask if she could incorporate progressive variations that would be more challenging for you?

girlwithcurls2

I love it that our instructors pace the class to the fittest person there that day. Then they remind anyone else to modify any moves. My classes are easily some of my hardest workouts all week. Interval training has helped my running, hiking and lap swimming endurance in a way nothing else has. I hate it in the moment, but remind myself that it makes my other workouts easier. I feel lucky that I have access to great instructors ❤️

skinnyrev2b

That would be amazing. Mine concentrates on the happy middle ability.

caramelheart

I love it! I get just as good a workout as I would doing a low impact tape but burn twice the calories! The greatest thing of all is its easy, COOL, and you can push yourself as much or as little as you feel up to. The key is keep moving and have fun! I still have 150 lbs to lose but this is truly aiding me in doing exercises in water that I could never do on land and its just as challenging! Give it a whirl girl!!!!