Working out regularly benefits elderly participants in many ways, and most seniors who exercise enjoy healthier, more independent lives as a result. But many seniors can’t engage in rigorous, high-impact forms of exercise because of the stress it places on weakened bones, arthritic joints and tired muscles. That’s why scores of elderly Americans are now using water aerobics as a low-impact alternative to traditional workouts. What follows are several reasons why exercising in water is a safe and effective way for your aging loved one to stay fit.

Why Water is Good for a Senior’s Body

Because of its natural composition water has several characteristics that make it the ideal medium to exercise in for the elderly, including: 

  • Resistance. Water is denser than air, which means it provides greater resistance to body movements with less effort than exercising on land.
  • Buoyancy. Water gently supports a person’s body weight, resulting in less pain and fatigue to sensitive areas.  
  • Calming. Being immersed in warm water has a relaxing and calming effect on the body and mind. 
  • Refreshing. Our bodies are 70% water, which is why it feels so refreshing and soothing on one’s skin. 

The Many Health Benefits of Water Aerobics

Here are some of the ways that water aerobics help seniors stay healthier:

Builds muscle strength and endurance

The movements of water aerobics create a force on the body that acts like small weights. That force builds muscle strength and increases cardiovascular endurance without the resulting “burn” that’s felt while exercising on land. Water aerobics help strengthen core muscles that improve a senior’s stability- reducing their likelihood for falling. 

Chronic pain relief

The water’s gentle waves hitting the skin have a massaging effect, which helps relieve chronic joint and muscle pain. Working against water’s resistance reduces stiffness and soreness caused by arthritis– a common condition that many elderly people have. 

Improves range of motion and flexibility

While exercising on land a senior’s body movements are restricted by gravity, and many seniors are also afraid to fall while working out. Being in water eliminates those restrictions and allows one to fearlessly increase their range of motion, loosening tight muscle and joint tissues that otherwise would remain stiff and sore. Patients with osteoarthritis have notably been found to benefit from the range of motion exercises associated with water aerobics.  

Weight loss

Water aerobics also burn calories, as the average 200-pound person can burn up to 190 calories during a 30-minute water aerobics routine. That’s why water aerobics are highly recommended as a safe and effective form of weight loss for obese individuals. Water’s natural buoyancy eases stress that’s placed on sensitive joints, allowing a heavier person to exercise more freely than they could on land. 

Relieves stress

Many older adults deal with stress and anxiety. Like most forms of exercise water aerobics help lower stress by causing the body to release “feel-good” hormones called endorphins. Water aerobics also improve oxygen flow to the brain and regulate breathing- all of which reduce stress. 

Lowers blood pressure

High blood pressure is also a common problem in the elderly. On the other hand, water aerobics helps lower blood pressure by improving blood circulation. The force of the water on the lower half of a participant’s body even makes it easier for blood to return to the heart!

Social aspects

Numerous studies have found that seniors who socialize more enjoy healthier, happier and longer lives than those who don’t. Participating in a water aerobics class at the local senior center or community pool provides the perfect setting for older adults to make new friends while keeping their bodies fit. 

We Help Alabama Seniors Stay Active and Engaged

Encouraging an aging in place loved one to exercise can be hard when you have your own household to manage or live far away. When you need an extended family in the home contact Seniors Prefer Homecare. As a fully licensed and insured home care agency our well trained and thoroughly screened caregivers love helping seniors exercise so they can continue aging comfortably in place right where they want to be.

With a focus on lifting the spirits of both the elderly and family caregivers we serve, our in-home services include respite care, companionship care, personal care, dementia care and household duties. To learn more now about Senior Prefer Homecare’s “cream of the crop” caregivers, or to schedule a FREE consultation for a senior in Huntsville or Tuscaloosa, AL, today, please visit us at: www.seniorspreferhomecare.com!