Aqua aerobics: A modern form of exercise that has only advantages

Aqua Aerobic or water exercise is today the latest fashion in the field of aerobics. It was once a seasonal summer habit, but now it's a necessity. According to the statistics of the Aquatic Association, the world that exercises in the water amounts to 8,000,000 people in America.

Today many gyms that include a heated pool on their premises provide aerobic programs in the water which is the perfect environment for exercise, weight loss, toning and relaxation.
As is known, most of the Earth consists of water, which surrounds us from everywhere and is part of every living organism. 2/3 of our body weight is made up of water. And many of our leisure and entertainment events take place around or within it.
Since ancient times, man has taken advantage of the healing and relaxing properties of water. During the 18th and 19th centuries hydrotherapy, the use of water to treat injuries and various illnesses, became very popular. Hydrotherapists used the cold water to reduce "swelling" caused by bruises and fatigue or to reduce high fevers. The hot water was used to increase blood circulation and to relax the patients. Many of the ideas of hydrotherapists are widely used in modern physical therapy. For example, physical therapists use exercises in water to strengthen weak muscles or help relieve strained tissues.
Aquatic exercise began in the late 1980s as a means of exercise that provided the benefits of aerobic exercise on land without the negative effects. Intense exercise on land can cause pain in the muscles and joints which often leads to intense discomfort and reduced motivation to exercise.
Water, on the contrary, is a wonderful means of maintaining a person's health. As soon as the athlete enters the water, he immediately feels relief, well-being and the fatigue of the day is removed.
Many people don't like to sweat or get tired and sore. No one gets excited at the idea of potential injuries associated with many "land" sports such as body vibration in running or muscle strain in weight training.
Regardless of your preferences, at Aqua Aerobic you will find an aerobics program that will leave you feeling refreshed and not exhausted, excited and not exhausted. You will improve your physical condition and flexibility while at the same time it will significantly help you to control your body weight.
Many athletes use water exercise as a supplementary training in their sport, while for many it is their only form of exercise. More specifically :
· Aqua Aerobic requires no swimming knowledge.
· It is a start in the water in a vertical position with music.
· No need to submerge the head in water.
· It can be done in shallow water and be of low intensity (Low Impact), but also in deep water, so the burden received by the body from vibrations and bounces is negligible (Non Impact).
Exercise in the water can be done with the use of auxiliary instruments or without them, e.g. belts, special gloves, rubber bands, dumbbells, etc.
In closing I would like to emphasize that regardless of your age and physical condition, Aqua Aerobic offers a range of exercises that will help you look and feel great and rejuvenated. You can start without much pressure and gradually after improving your fitness level maintain it.
Recent research has shown that people who are in good physical shape reap many of the benefits of exercise which are:

1. Improvement of cardiorespiratory function.
2. Reducing the risk of heart disease.
3. Body weight control
4. improvement of muscle tone
5. Slowing down of normal functions associated with old age, i.e. looking younger.
6. They better control daily stress
7. They get sick less often since they strengthen the immune system.
8. They generally have a healthier lifestyle.
   Water aerobics equipment
   Before starting an Aquafit program certain equipment is necessary.

Swimwear (swimwear)
A "swimsuit" whose composition consists of "lycra" or "nylon" fabric which dries easily and quickly, is the most suitable clothing for the Aquagymnastics practitioner.

Swimming cap
For reasons of hygiene and to keep the hair dry, a cap is necessary, which has a very good fit on the head of the exerciser and is made of "lycra" or silicone.

Swimming goggles
Pool goggles are essential for people who wear contact lenses or whose eyes are sensitive to pool chemicals or even sea salt. Also, the glasses allow the exerciser to see the bottom more clearly. They are not necessary in an Aquatics program.

Additional Exercise Equipment
(for greater and more effective increase in resistance).

Rull-buoys
Pull-buoys (there is no Greek translation) mainly support the lower part of the body and are used by practitioners for two reasons,

1. For relaxation and buoyancy: Apply to the back of the head or between the practitioner's legs. The practitioner's body becomes horizontal and floats in a prone or supine position.
2. To increase resistance : It is applied to the hands or feet of the exerciser, as a means of increasing the resistance more when performing certain strengthening exercises.

Flotation board
The plank is primarily used for upper body support allowing the exerciser to perform horizontal, dynamic leg exercises.
Special water boots can also be used for a greater increase in resistance and more effective strengthening of the muscular system.

Special water boots
Water boots are mainly used by people who run in the water (aqua joggers), for a greater increase in resistance.
They are used to increase the resistance and intensity of the exercise as well as to support the body in deep water to perform lower body and abdominal exercises.

Special water zone
The water belt is mainly used by water runners to keep their body in a vertical position and perform the movement in the correct way.
It is also used to support the body in people who do not know how to swim well and wish to perform their exercises in deep water. It also offers greater security to elderly people.
It is adjusted to the height of the belly button and the adjustment of the belt strap should be tight enough so that it does not loosen in the water.

Water lifeline
For the best exploitation of a limited pool area by water runners (aqua runners) a durable rope is used with a loop on one end to be attached to the practitioner's belt and with the other end hooked to the pool overflow.
This special rope is useful for runners when the distance of the pool from one end to the other is limited and there is not enough available space for running.
The rope can also be used by the other practitioners in order to perform the exercise statically, concentrating their attention on the movement, without aimless movements in the pool.

Katerina Leruni
Aqua Aerobic Instructor