subject: 5 Tips You Need To Know While Performing Aquatic Therapy [print this page] If you are a person who loves being in the water 24/7, then Aquatic therapy is for you. You can perform your typical workout in a swimming pool to harness better results, and have a more balanced physique which won't be prone to muscle and joint injuries. Although you won't be able to lift heavy weights while you are in the pool, lifting even the lightest weights will help you achieve your fitness goals. It is fun, healthy and will provide you with a much needed workout! So, if you're heading out for an aquatic therapy session, here are a few things that will ensure you of maximum benefits.
Establish your goals:
As with any other workout - you need to know what you want to achieve from aquatic therapy. Aquatic therapy is usually performed for several reasons such as improving strength, improving body balance, and improving muscle flexibility. Before you start, you need to know what results you are willing to achieve.
Perform a warm-up:
It is best to start your aquatic therapies with a warm up routine just like you would before your standard workouts. For aquatic therapy, running is the best form of warm up. When you run in water, it strengthens your muscles and burns more calories as compared to running or jogging on the ground.
Use light weights:
If you are thinking of taking your standard weights to the pool, don't! While you are under water, your arms will have a tough time lifting weights up while the water is pulling them down. Therefore, even half of the weight you usually lift would seem heavier. So, try using weights that are quite light.
Perform total body exercises:
Total body exercises work best under water. Of course these are different than the ones you would perform on land. However, the advantages you gain by performing total body exercises under water are burning more calories, and developing better body balance and resistance. Besides, by performing total body exercises, you will get the chance to work out all your major body muscles and joints.
Restrict yourself to a workout:
Aquatic therapy might sound like fun, but keep your goals in mind. You can have as much fun as you want, but by sticking to your workout. Develop a workout plan - whether it is weekly, daily or for alternate days - and stay committed to it. You can use various pieces of equipment, such as balls, ankle weights, and the like to add more variation to your aquatic therapy.
Aquatic therapies are an advanced way of exercising which combines all the major factors needed to develop a better physique. However, this therapy isn't for everyone. If you suffer from heart disease, you shouldn't be trying this therapy. Thus, it is best that you consult your physician beforehand, or take the advice of the person in charge of conducting these therapies at the spa. If you are allowed to enjoy aquatic therapies, then you will have a lot of fun and will reap benefits in return.
