Comparing fitness and water aerobics | What is the best way to lose weight?

The benefits and main advantages of training in water

Water aerobics is a worthy alternative to regular fitness, since in this case you not only quickly burn calories, but also reduce the load on the body, especially on the joints (the risk of injury to them is reduced to zero, since there is no gravity in the water). This is a big plus for older people and people with spinal problems. In addition, during training, the work of the heart muscle is optimized, and water provides a good massage effect: it activates blood circulation and promotes the outflow of venous blood from the heart, preventing stagnation.

Weight correction

The majority of people choose water aerobics to lose weight.
By exercising 3 times a week, you can get a toned body without much effort, because aquafitness not only helps to normalize body weight, but also allows you to create an elegant silhouette and a slender figure:

• during the exercises you have to overcome the resistance of the water and put in serious effort, so more calories are burned;
• Due to the vibration of the water, a natural massage of the body occurs, which increases the elasticity and tone of the skin, increasing the chances of getting rid of cellulite and excess weight;
• in cool water, the body spends more energy to warm the body;
• metabolic processes are stimulated and cells are saturated with oxygen, which promotes effective fat burning.

The ability of water to make the human body much lighter allows you to easily perform exercises that require strength and energy on land. Due to the resulting massage effect, the level of lactic acid in the muscles decreases, which eliminates the appearance of muscle pain after training.

Let's lose weight with pleasure

Separately, it is worth mentioning the emotional component. Thus, group classes are conducted to the accompaniment of music, which creates a relaxed atmosphere and turns a standard workout into a pleasant aqua disco.

An important point regarding training in water is the comfortable depth of the pool.

Being in shoulder-deep water, overweight people will not feel embarrassed about the shortcomings of their figure, and those who cannot swim will be able to feel confident without the fear of going to the bottom.

It is known that just 1 hour of water aerobics allows you to burn about 700 Kcal, which is identical to speed skiing. Therefore, fitness in water is considered one of the fastest and most enjoyable ways to lose weight.

Water aerobics in combination with proper nutrition allows you to lose about 15-20 kg in 3 months.

Specifics of water aerobics

The benefits of water aerobics are based on the laws of physics. Since water has a greater density than air, it is more difficult to move in it. A person feels the lightness of his body, but in order to swing an arm or leg, he will need much more energy expenditure than on land.

With the help of water aerobics, the muscular corset of the upper body is actively worked, the shape of the buttocks and hips is corrected. Exercises contribute to the development of good abs: the abdominal muscles tighten, it becomes flat. But there is practically no load on the joints. This allows people with diseases of the skeletal system to use aqua gymnastics.

What is better: water aerobics or fitness? Let us list the clear benefits of water training.

1. Helps develop endurance. After three months of regular exercise, your endurance will increase several times.
2. Increases muscle strength. Since water resistance is several times higher than air resistance, the muscle corset experiences enormous stress during each session.
3. Develops flexibility. In water, joints have the ability to increase range through a variety of movements.
4. No pressure on joint tissue. Due to the increased density of water, part of the gravitational effect on humans disappears. Therefore, the joints “do not feel” any pressure. This aspect is of particular importance for people suffering from arthritis, having hernias and undergoing surgery.
5. Eliminates depression, reduces stress. Water is an excellent relaxant. Watching her calms and reduces neurosis. With the help of water exercises, anxiety “goes away”.
6. Helps burn calories. The longer the workout, the more calories “leave” the body. The use of special devices enhances the result. On average, 45 minutes of exercise burns 400 calories.
7. Stabilizes blood pressure. Thanks to increased blood flow, which carries necessary substances and oxygen to all organs and tissues, the heart “pumps” blood unhindered and quickly. Its work becomes continuous, the frequency of contractions stabilizes.
8. Aquafitness “saves” from cellulite. A water massage that has a draining effect on the skin will get rid of the ugly orange peel and give it beauty and radiance.
9. Long active stay in water improves metabolic processes and intestinal function, which has the best effect on appearance.

Performing water exercises has a positive effect on the psychological mood of “athletes”. Many women, embarrassed by excess weight, do not want to show off their bodies in the gym. In the pool, the problem “disappears” by itself: in the water, flaws in the figure are not visible. Swimming also relieves such “companions” of strength loads as facial redness and profuse sweating. Classes help you achieve good results as comfortably as possible.

Equipment and accessories for classes

Complexes of aqua exercises for weight loss include the muscles of the abdomen, buttocks, thighs, arms and chest. To enhance the effect of training, it is recommended to use sports equipment that allows you to increase and evenly distribute the load.

Thus, with the help of special dumbbells (from 0.5 kg) and weights for the arms and legs, the work of the cardiovascular system is activated and the muscles are strengthened. Webbed gloves allow you to increase water resistance and work out your hand muscles well. And to strengthen the muscles of the shoulder girdle, back and chest, as well as to improve the abdominal press, expanders are provided.

In addition, during water aerobics classes, devices are used to make the training not only comfortable, but also as safe as possible:

• aquabelt helps maintain balance;
• a swim board helps keep the upper body afloat and increases resistance;
• the step platform eliminates the possibility of slipping and the risk of injury;
• A noodle (a flexible floating stick 1 m long and 10 cm in diameter) is more functional than a swimming board: it helps to stay on the water and perform a greater range of movements.

Accessories for exercises are necessary not only for beginners at the initial stage of training, but are also very effective when performing certain health-improving complexes.

Using "helpers"

For better results during training, special devices are used.

To increase muscle mass in the arms and “tighten” the skin on them, “noodles” are used. This is the name given to special flexible sticks that resemble boiled noodles. Water dumbbells do a good job of this.

To “pump up” your legs, they use a step platform and a special swimming board.

To lose weight in the abdomen and sides, use a belt. The device is often “prescribed” to people who are still unsteady on the surface of the water. In this case, it acts as a safety net. However, its main function is to fix the hip area so that the load on these parts of the body increases.

A set of exercises for weight loss

Exercises in the pool for weight loss should begin with a warm-up, which warms up the muscles well and helps prepare for the upcoming loads. This requires 3-5 minutes. run around the pool (at an average pace), actively working with your hands, and then without their help. Alternatively, try a few of your favorite dance moves. People who are skilled in martial arts can perform a couple of vigorous moves. Alternatively, you can simply jump for 3-4 minutes.

Leg workout

A set of exercises for training legs consists of the following elements:

1. Lying on your stomach at the edge of the pool and holding the edge with your hands, you need to spread and close your legs 20-25 times, putting the main load on the inner thighs.
2. Starting position – standing, feet shoulder-width apart, arms extended forward. It is necessary to raise your right leg forward, trying to touch the fingers of your left hand, and then slowly lower it. Repeat the exercise 10-15 times, first with the right, then with the left foot.
3. Standing straight with your arms outstretched in front of you, it is necessary for 10-20 minutes. Raise your knees high and slowly pull them towards your chest.
4. Having assumed a vertical position, you should tense the muscles of your buttocks and, bending your knees, alternately move them back, trying to touch the buttocks. For each leg you need to perform 2 sets of 15-20 times.

Exercises for abdominal muscles

The following complex helps strengthen the abdominal muscles:

1. Standing with your back to the side of the pool and holding it with your hands, you need to pull both legs 10 times, first to the chest, and then to the right and left sides, and then return to the starting position.
2. Holding onto the edge of the pool, you need to imitate riding a bicycle, moving forward and backward for 5-10 minutes.
3. Starting position – standing in water up to your shoulders and stretching your arms out in front of you. You should jump and pull your legs towards your stomach, and then relax your muscles, straighten your legs and stand up straight again. The exercise must be repeated 20 times, gradually complicating the movements: when returning to the starting position, the legs must be spread apart.
4. Standing upright, you need to raise your right leg and for 5 minutes. perform several circular movements at an average pace. Next, perform the same manipulations with your left leg.

We train hips and buttocks

To train the muscles in the thighs and buttocks, exercises such as:

1. Starting position – standing in water up to your neck, arms spread to the sides. The legs bent at the knees should be pulled back, trying to touch the buttocks with the heels. Repeat the exercise 20 times.
2. Alternately lifting and bending your knees (20 times), you need to diligently “box” at an average pace.
3. Using an inflatable pillow, you should lie on your back and “ride a bicycle” for 10 minutes.

Water aerobics at home

In the summer, you don’t have to go to the pool to practice water aerobics - you can do the exercises in any body of water.
During the cold season, the most affordable option is your own bath.

The main thing is that the water temperature does not exceed 33°C (otherwise there is a risk of increased stress on the heart). In addition, it is not advisable to use soap to avoid slipping and injury during home aqua fitness.

The set of exercises is a simplified version of professional training, which, however, if performed regularly, will provide the desired result.

"Scissors"

Lying in a comfortable position and holding the sides with your hands, you need to raise your half-bent legs above the water, straighten them and make 15-20 crossing movements. In this case, you can pause, performing as many movements per approach as your level of physical fitness allows.

Exercise with a washcloth

Place a washcloth between your feet and apply pressure with your feet, tensing the muscles of your inner thighs. Next, you need to move away from the wall and, holding the edges of the bathtub with your hands, slowly raise and smoothly lower your legs 20 times, holding the washcloth. If you wish, you can hold on with just one hand, extending the other forward, which will additionally engage the oblique abdominal muscles. You should also remember about proper breathing: inhale as you lift your legs, and exhale as you lower them.

Emphasis on the sides

Leaning back and taking a comfortable position, you need to spread your legs and forcefully press your knees on the sides, tensing the muscles of your buttocks, then gradually relax and slowly bring your legs together. Do 20 approaches.

Walking on your buttocks

Starting position – sitting, trying to maintain your posture. Smoothly, slowly, you need to perform 20 “steps” on the buttocks, tensing and relaxing the muscles.

Palm massage

The palms must be placed at a distance of 1 cm from the right leg and move up and down, “driving” the water and providing hydromassage (it is important not to touch the skin with your hands). Do the same with the left leg, performing the element 20 times.

Before starting the exercises, you can rub your body with a hard washcloth and add a few drops of orange oil to the water. This will help you defeat cellulite faster, “revitalize” your skin and give you a boost of energy.

In the area of ​​special attention

Like any type of physical activity, water aerobics has contraindications, so it is advisable to start training after consulting a doctor. The risk group includes people suffering from the following diseases:

• cystitis;
• asthma (water in the pool puts pressure on the body, including the chest, which can cause breathing problems);
• osteochondrosis (dizziness and nausea are possible due to physical activity);
• cardiovascular diseases (incorrectly selected and too intense cardio loads, instead of a positive result, can harm the body).

In addition, training should not be carried out if you have colds and viral diseases, including genital infections.

If you are prone to allergies, you should check in advance how your skin reacts to chlorinated pool water to prevent relapses.

Who should definitely take water classes?

The specific features of the impact of swimming on the human body indicate that exercise in water is suitable for people of all ages. And even people who were forbidden by doctors to play sports.

What benefits do people get from swimming in the pool, depending on their goals:

• Get rid of excess weight;
• Strengthen the functioning of muscles, joints, and the musculoskeletal system;
• Have a preventive effect for diseases of the heart and blood vessels;
• Prostatitis is treated in combination with medications;
• Protect yourself from stress and depression.

“Aqua training” helps people, depending on the following ailments:

• Those suffering from back diseases are cured of osteochondrosis;
• Get rid of problems with the nervous system;
• Improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract (flatulence, problems with stool);
• Do not worry about vegetative-vascular dystonia;
• Solve problems with varicose veins;
• Improves the condition of the body during pregnancy.

Useful tips and tricks for beginners

It’s not for nothing that water aerobics is called a universal form of fitness - if there are no contraindications, you can start classes at any age, regardless of body size and swimming ability. Training is usually carried out at shallow depths.

People who cannot swim can use special belts or other inflatable accessories to help them float on the surface of the water.

To quickly get up to speed and shorten the adaptation process as much as possible, you need to take into account several nuances:

• for classes you should purchase water goggles, a comfortable rubber cap and slippers with non-slip soles;
• women are recommended to buy a one-piece swimsuit that provides maximum comfort and freedom of movement;
• The success of training lies in regularity, so you need to exercise consistently for 30-40 minutes. 3-4 times a week;
• the interval between classes and meals should be at least 1.5-2 hours;
• Each workout should be preceded by a cool shower. You need to enter the water gradually, otherwise headaches, heartaches, and convulsions may occur due to temperature changes.

The best option for beginners would be classes in groups for beginners, where training is carried out in a gentle manner and lasts no more than 25 minutes. And after getting used to the loads, you can gradually increase the intensity and move on to exercises with weights.

Water aerobics is a real find for those who want to lose weight quickly. Overcoming the resistance of water, much more strength and calories are expended, and the load is felt to a lesser extent, because the body becomes lighter and remains in weightlessness. Aqua fitness classes in sea water are more effective than in fresh water, so pleasant and useful exercises can be carried out right on the coastal strip. It is important not to forget to combine training with proper nutrition and get double pleasure from each activity: for body and soul.