Aqua Fitness

Aqua fitness is used quite often by people looking to get in
shape in this day and age dominated by the fitness craze. There
are many reasons why aqua fitness is so popular, and there are
many redeeming qualities for the body when it comes to aqua
fitness, but the best feature about aqua fitness is the fact
that for most people, it is fun. There is little in the universe
that is more fun than swimming, and quite frankly, swimming is
one of the best forms of exercise for the muscles in the human
body, but there’s much more to an aqua fitness workout than JUST
SWIMMING.

Of course swimming laps isn’t all that there is to aqua fitness
routines, though swimming laps in a concentrated effort with
varied strokes is certainly a part of any routine. Many muscles
can be strengthened, toned, and stretched by swimming a number
of laps, depending on your level of fitness, with different
strokes. The butterfly, for instance, as an excellent way to
workout your upper body torso, including your pecs and your
lats. Even the doggie paddle strengthens your neck, back, arms,
and legs. The biggest benefit of aqua fitness can come from
simple static exercise. Herschel Walker, the famed Heisman
Trophy winner, used aqua fitness techniques to build the
endurance and strength in his legs by simply running under
water. The resistance from the water itself helped build those
oak trees that Herschel called legs. There are plenty of
resistance and isometric exercises that can be used to build
strength and muscles, from simple flexing and movement to more
advanced routines involving light weights under water.

There are plenty of enjoyable water sports as well that can be
used to help build the body. Sports such as water polo, water
soccer, and water volleyball, while competitive and fun, are
very good for building muscle. The great thing about aqua
fitness is that it tends to use the whole body as you train and
exercise. Bodybuilding in typical fashion generally requires
exercises involving free weights and machines that focus on a
primary and secondary muscle structure. For instance when you do
curls with either a dumbbell or a barbell, you are using the
resistance of the weight to strengthen the bicep as you curl the
weight up, and you are stressing the triceps as you lower the
weight back down. Two muscles are exercised, and unhealthy
strain is placed on the back which supports the exercise as
there is little to no support behind it. The same exact exercise
done under water with far less weight is more effective and is
safer as well. First of all, the back is reinforced by the water
itself. Secondly you can use far less weight, putting less
pressure on the back, because of the resistance of the water,
which exercises the muscle. In the water, all of the back
muscles and abdominal muscles are utilized as well, due to the
resistance of the water, so it is a far more effective work out.

About the Author: Kate Steplton travel.syl.com/health/ - More
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