How to improve your overall fitness … in the water

While most prefer to hit the gym or go for a run, aquarobics – also referred to as aqua aerobics or water aerobics – is said to be a great way to mix up a traditional gym workout with the wondrous benefits of water.

According to Swimming.org it only takes a few aqua aerobics sessions to see a big difference in one’s overall fitness.

The Herald spoke to an aquarobics instructor in Greenhills to find out more about what this fun way of exercising entails.

Hilda Biyela, 45, has been a fitness and personal instructor for the past 17 years, and an aquarobics instructor at Swimkidz SA in Greenhills for the past six years.

“This form of exercise helps to strengthen your body and puts less strain on your joints,” she said.

Other benefits of aquarobics include burning calories, losing weight, toning, working on all the muscle groups, improving balance and coordination, relieving stress and most of all, having fun while exercising.
“It has more toning potential as it has 12 times the resistance of air than normal aerobics. You can burn 400 to 500 calories per hour while doing aquarobics!”

It is not just for the elderly; anyone can enjoy this form of exercise from as young as eight years as long as you can stand in the pool without water covering your chest.

“I recommend it for sick people like those who had a stroke and suffer from diabetes, cholesterol and high blood pressure.”

She explained aquarobics can be done in cool water during the summer and depending on the season, the water temperature can be increased.

According to Hilda they do almost all exercises like kata boxing, dumbbell exercises for the upper body, abs and station runs.

Her training only takes an hour with a 10 minute warm-up and stretch, 45 minute training and finishing off with a five minute cool-down and stretch.

“I would encourage anyone to do aquarobics because it’s fun!”