Aquatic Exercises Vs Land Exercises

Aquatic exercises are becoming a popular alternative to land-based exercises as more and more people discover the benefits of water routines. While it is true that both land-based and aquatic exercises may yield the same results, certain differences between the two make aquatic exercises the preferred option nowadays.

Following are five differences that make people switch to aquatic exercises.

1. Aquatic exercises burn more calories per hour than similar land-based routines. Burning calories is the number one reason why many engage in regular exercise. So if there is a faster way to burn calories than spending many hours at the gym, why would anyone pass it up?

The key to this calorie-burning power is that water provides added resistance to the body during aquatic exercises. This means that your body expends more energy in water doing the same exercise routine you would on land.

2. Aquatic exercises are less stressful to a person's muscles and joints than land-based exercises. Since water makes your body buoyant during aquatic exercises, less pressure is put on your muscles, bones, and joints. This will become apparent to you when you realize that you feel less exhaustion after doing your exercises in water rather than on land.

3. Aquatic exercises require less body support than land-based exercises. Since you are more buoyant, aquatic exercises let you move more freely without having to support your body as much as you would on land. When you are waist-deep in water, you only need to support 50 percent of your body weight. This percentage decreases as you go deeper.

For instance, immersing your body in water up to chest- or neck-level reduces the percentage of weight you need to support to as little as 10 percent.

4. Aquatic exercises are suitable for a wider variety of people than land-based exercises. Unlike land-based exercises, aquatic exercises are suitable not only to physically fit exercise enthusiasts, but also to people with injuries and health conditions. Since aquatic exercises involve minimal impact, pregnant, diabetic, and arthritic people can benefit from it.

5. Aquatic exercises are more fun and enjoyable to do than land-based exercises. The best thing about aquatic exercises is that you can get the benefits of regular exercising while enjoying the relaxing and cooling effects of water.

If you love land-based exercises, then by all means continue with them. You do not have to give them up at all. Rather, look at aquatic exercises as great additions to your fitness regimen. With the list of advantages mentioned above, there is no way you will regret it!