Water Exercise: A Pool of Options

• Deep Water Running: Stimulating land running in water where the feet do not touch the bottom of the pool.  Flotation devices are used. Various running styles, drills, and methods can be used.

• Flexibility Training: Large movements using each body parts' full range of motion, along with full body stretches.

• Lap Swimming: If the individual is a proficient swimmer, swimming back and forth using various swimming strokes is a possibility.  However, we suggest that lap swimmers also consider other forms of water exercise in addition to lap swimming.

• Water Aerobics: Full body rhythmic exercises conducted in shallow and/or deep water for 20 minutes or more, designed to provide cardiovascular benefits.

• Wall Exercise (Deep or Shallow): Using the pool wall for support to isolate various body parts.

• Water Fitness Products: Professional products designed and manufactured specifically for water fitness activities – for toning, strengthening and endurance work.  Such products add variety to the class, motivate students, and create additional resistance and support.

• Water Running: Same as Deep Water Running (see above).

• Water Toning/Strength Training: Upper and lower body moves designed to strengthen, firm, and sculpt the muscles by using the resistance of the water and/or water exercise equipment.

• Water Therapy & Rehabilitation: Procedures in the water designed and implemented for specific clinical purposes.

• Water Walking: Moving forward, backward, and sideward, using regular, short, quick or long steps, in waist-deep to chest-deep water.

• Water Yoga & Relaxation: Gentle, easy-flowing moves using the water as a relaxation medium.