Where Can I Find Information About Water Fitness?

Water exercise is one of the best ways to achieve the fitness goals recommended by the U.S Department of Health & Human Services. Water fitness can be achieved using aquatics or water aerobics--however, it encompasses a broad spectrum of exercises from swimming laps to water yoga. All of these types of water exercise are low-impact, which makes them perfect for older people.

Significance

To achieve healthful advantages of exercise, adults should do at least 2 1/2 hours each week of controlled-intensity aerobic exercise, or 1 1/4 hours a week of more-intense aerobic exercise. A vigorous round of swimming laps or participating in a water aerobics class are good choices for maintaining good heart health.

YMCA

To find information about water fitness, start with your local recreation center, or YMCA. The Y can give you a listing of courses that are offered, the level of difficulty of each type of water class, how long each class meets, how many people they can enroll and the credentials of the instructor.

American Red Cross

Your instructor should be certified in water safety and in the particular class he is teaching. If this is not apparent in the course booklet, then you should ask. The American Red Cross has nationwide training programs and covers everything from training people to become swim instructors, to certification for swim coaches and lifeguards.

American Council on Exercise

Contact the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services which provides information on exercise, including swimming. Additional resources include the Aquatic Exercise Association, which offers certification to its instructors, or the American Council on Exercise (ACE). The ACE emphasizes how water fitness is the best low-impact exercise you can do. ACE offers an extensive question-and-answer page about swimming fitness.

Arthritis Foundation

There are alternative water fitness methods, which include water yoga and water t'ai chi. These forms of exercise are catching on at fitness centers which offer some, if not all of these types of classes. Contact the Arthritis Foundation. The foundation offers the latest research on water-based, alternative therapy. Inquire about the instructors. Ask questions about where they were certified or taught, and if they have had prior experience with teaching classes.