Benefits Of Water Exercise

There are so many benefits of water exercise! I spend a couple of hours a week in the water teaching aqua aerobics and I am certified through the Aquatic Exercise Association. I have been teaching for 12 years and I am constantly amazed at the benefits of exercising in the water.

As I prepare for my class I spend a little time researching information that I want to educate my clients about that day. It might be about the safety of working out in the water, or the benefits that walking backwards in the water will help lower back pain. I am amazed at the wealth of information about water exercise that is out there. There is always new research being done on how to best use the principles of water to get the most out of your time in the water.

I am lucky to teach in a pool where my clients can be in shallow or deep water. There is a comfort level to exercising in the water. Even if you are a non swimmer you can exercise in the water. In the shallow end where your feet touch the bottom you you have the stability of the bottom of the pool to guide you through your work out. In the deep end where your feet don't touch the bottom of the pool the buoyancy of the water will guide you through your work out.

Whether you are in the shallow or deep end the ability to move your body through increased range of motion feels so good on your joints. In the water you are constantly working against the hydrostatic pressure so your core is constantly engaging.

If you have been thinking about adding water exercise to your life do not delay! Call a club, rec center, community center, 'Y' or pool in your area. We would love to have you join us! If you have any questions please feel free to leave me a message here and I will get back to you. It is important to me to share the knowledge I have of the benefits of water exercise with everyone I know!

After class when my clients are gone I sit in the pool for a few minutes to relax. I recap the class that just passed and start planning for the next time I will be able to share the benefits of water exercise!

March Is National Caffeine Awareness Month

Did you know that March is National Caffeine Awareness Month? I was reading about this yesterday as I was drinking a glass of water! I would much rather have been drinking a glass of coke! In 2008 I slowly started cutting down on my caffeine intake. By January of 2009 I was down to 12 ounces of coke a day.

It has not been easy! There are so many times throughout the day that I want to grab more caffeine for that quick fix! Instead I try to drink a glass of water or two! Water hydration! Telling myself that just replenishing my fluids will wake me up! I'm not convinced it is working but I am not giving up! I can change my caffeine habit day by day!

The month of March is the perfect month to work on drinking more water! I will work on my energy level through exercise and getting more rest!

Drink More Water!

The last couple of years I have tried to drink more water. I feel so much better when I drink enough water. With my meals I drink milk and as a treat I drink 1 12 oz. Coca-Cola a day. Drinking more water has made a big difference in my life.

The question I always ask is how much water should I be drinking?!? It depends on a lot of factors. When I teach my water aerobics class I always try to drink 1 bottle of water before class, 1 during class and 1 after class. That is the recommendation of A.E.A. When I walk Evie I always have a bottle of water for us. Whether I am working out in stores or from home I have ice water with me all the time. Most days I feel hydrated enough. However, there are days I know I haven't had enough.

There are several articles I have read recently regarding water consumption. I always refer to the Mayo Clinic. They have insight into health and wellness topics. I recently discovered this hydration chart which is really interesting.

Are you drinking enough water? Do you feel better when you drink more water? Here's to a hydrated 2009!

http://www.aeawave.com
http://www.mayoclinic.com
http://nutrition.about.com/library/blwatercalculator.htm

Water Aerobics

I am a certified (Aquatic Exercise Association) water aerobics instructor. I absolutely love teaching and it is one of my greatest passions. The water is such a great place to exercise for everyone. It doesn't matter what your skill level is you can benefit from the properties of water. If you are looking to add a different work out to your regime for 2009 I would highly recommend checking out a class at your local club, Y, or community center. Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions!

http://www.aeawave.com