Water aerobics is a generally safe, non-impact form of exercise. The goal is to allow the practitioner to lose weight and tone muscle while in a low impact environment. This is often accomplished with the use of resistance materials like webbed gloves, flippers, and water aerobics weights. While flippers and gloves are an essential part of water aerobics, water aerobics weights are often the best devices to use to add resistance and strength training to a regular water aerobics work out.
Some people think of water aerobics as an exercise program for the elderly, but many gyms offer water aerobics classes. Men, women, and children of all ages can benefit from water aerobics. Adding the additional resistance of weights can make this exercise more effective for toning muscles.
Water aerobics weights are made from a dense foam material with a porous surface. They typically resemble freehand weights. There is a foam weight on each end of the center handle bar, and the weight should be perfectly balanced. These weights come in various sizes and shapes, and the shape of the weight influences the amount of resistance that the exerciser will experience in the water.
Using weights as part of a water aerobics program is good for sculpting the upper body. There are many exercises that can be accomplished with these types of weights; the butterfly and curl are two of the most popular types of exercises performed with water aerobics weights. These exercises can be performed in the shallow end of the swimming pool or in the deep end. The water depth influences the amount of resistance that the weight has in the water. To attain a harder workout, water aerobics weights should be used in the deep end of the pool.
Water aerobics weights can also serve as flotation devices. They enable practitioners to perform exercises that might not otherwise be possible in the deep end of the swimming pool. For example, their buoyant nature allows a person to use his entire body as a counterweight during a workout. Weightlifting with water aerobics weights can actually provide the same benefit as working out with free weights outside of the water.
Novice swimmers are often encouraged to wear water safety belts while using water aerobics weights in the deep end of the swimming pool. Water safety belts may also be required when attempting complicated exercises. Experienced swimmers do not necessarily have to use a water safety belt during exercise routines.
