Water workout/Aqua aerobics

One of 'em awesome workouts I will recommend. Clearly, what makes it most effective is your instructor. A great class with Jeffrey. Best (yet gross) part, you can't tell if your sweating :P.

December 2010 Issue of Frappe, Chennai's cafe lifestyle magazine.

Aqua fit

Come New Year and we’re all engaged in making changes and New resolutions in our day-to-day routines. While resolutions are well-intentioned, unfortunately most of us fail at keeping them. Striving to achieve our fitness goals are probably the most difficult of the lot. January being the perfect season for change, it’s definitely the right time to transform your workout and alleviate boredom to meet those ‘size zero’ fitness goals. After all, muscles have memory and they can get accustomed to the same workout. An Aqua aerobics workout might be just what you need.

A first-of-its-kind in Chennai, the program is conducted by renowned Choreographer and Reebok Certified fitness instructor Jeffrey Vardon at Hotel Savera. Aqua Aerobics, as the name suggests, is a high-calorie burning workout which involves performing aerobics in the shallow part of the pool which uses the resistance of water and provides for an excellent whole body workout making it fun and exhilarating. As opposed to most workouts, aquatic exercises are known for their safety aspect as it is easier on the joints. The water cushions you thus preventing any damage or irritation to the joints because you are in a buoyant environment, where the buoyancy principle of the water does not allow the lower body to bear the body weight; hence the chance of an injury is minimal.

“The weather conditions of our city make this an apt workout opposing any other outdoor activity that makes you sweat.” says Jeffrey.

A huge plus is that one does not need to know swimming in order to take advantage of water aerobic exercising. This form of aerobics allows a person to get the same benefits as regular aerobic workouts, but it has many added advantages. The multiple benefits of an Aqua aerobics routine are therapeutic to the joints and work your muscular and cardiovascular system hugely. Aquatic exercise will not only make your heart stronger, but it also proves to be a powerful strength training workout with water being the resistance. The result: A workout that helps you build strength, balance, flexibility and endurance leaving you with a well-toned body.

“The motivation is high as it done in the pool which attracts a larger crowd and it helps one burn between 500 to 800 calories in one hour.” says Jeffrey.

While no single workout suits everyone needs, water aerobics comes close to conforming to most individual’s abilities and restrictions. Open to people of all age groups, one can adjust the pace of their movements and the exertion levels to suit their fitness ability while exercising every muscle and joint in the body, all at the same time. Based on a simple concept where the harder you push at the water, the harder it pushes back at you makes for a great workout. This multi-directional resistance provides for excellent rehabilitation for those who are suffering from injuries and cannot perform land aerobics.

Water aerobics is also particularly beneficial for those who are over-weight or who have not exercised for a while making this an easy way to get back and stay in an exercise program.

Overall, aqua aerobics is a fantastic opportunity to get in to shape and have fun while doing it. Besides, what can be more fun than splashing around in water with friends, while getting a workout?

With something to offer for everyone, we hope this has whetted your appetite!