Fit4Ever | Aqua Awesome Does Aqua Fitness burn calories?
Water and fire don’t mix. But in Aqua Fitness you can use water to burn up calories. Here’s tips on losing weight with Aqua Fitness.
A calorie is not extra fat hanging on your stomach. A calories is a unit of measurement. A calorie is the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water through 1 °C (now usually defined as 4.1868 joules).
Put in simpler terms, a calorie measures energy expended. The more you exercise, the more you expend energy and burn calories. We store energy in body fat, so expending energy through exercise can help “burn off” fat.
In water aerobics, we jump around and move arms, legs, and the whole body. And we do it against the resistance of water. This uses up energy and burns calories!
Can you lose weight in water aerobics?
The answer is yes! Losing weight with Aqua Fitness is just like losing weight with any other exercise. The amount of calories burned in Aqua will vary depending on how much you weigh now and how much you move. If you work out at a high intensity, vigorously pushing the water around as you move without stopping, you will burn as many calories as you would working out on land jogging or doing aerobics! If however, you move gently and slowly and take breaks to just float and relax, then you won’t burn as many calories. You may still benefit from the stretching and meditative benefits of being in the water, but you will not be fighting fat.
The good news that is that most aquatic fitness classes consist of routines that combine high intensity with medium and low intensity moves. So you will be burning calories for much of your time in the water. You will be doing calisthenic -type moves and cardio moves while making use of water resistance to increase the workout. But because you are in water, it will not seem as tough as a similar workout on land. You may not notice that you are sweating and getting your heart rate up, but in fact you are getting a tremendous workout that burns calories. You will be energized and it will be easier to keep going.
How many calories does 30 minutes of Aqua burn?
It all depends on how much you weigh and how hard you work, but you can burn from 150 to 380 calories in 30 minutes of aqua aerobics. If you are looking for an exercise to help lose weight and keep fit, try Aqua. Start out slow and work your way up. Give it at least a month of going at least two or three times a week. If you truly give it a chance, you will find Aqua is a great way to work out and burn calories without feeling overwhelmed. Just remember, if you want to burn calories, you have to push yourself to move; just relaxing in the pool won’t work. Sometimes I see people at my gym who come to the pool and float around with a noodle for two hours while they chat. There is nothing wrong with that! It’s a great way to socialize. But it does not count as a workout. If you want to lose weight doing Aqua, then you need to take part in actual water aerobic routines! On the other hand, I have taught Aqua to people who are trying to lose weight, and I have seen that Aqua Fitness is a great way for them to get motivated on a fitness journey. It is easier to get started working out in a pool if you are not used to working out.
What is the best way to burn fat with Aqua Fitness?
Recent research shows that in any fitness program—on land or in water—high intensity interval training is the way to go. That means working out at a high intensity for a short period, then following with a low intensity workout. Then repeat. You will find several High Intensity Interval Training or HIIT Aqua workout routines on my Youtube Aqua Workout Recommendations. Another tip for the best way to lose weight in Aqua is to wear water shoes. You do not have to wear special shoes to do Aqua. But many people find that it improves their workout. Read my post about aqua fitness shoes to learn more.
What is the best way to learn Aqua Fitness?
You can learn Aqua on your own by watching Youtube videos. Check out my reviews of some of the best Aqua Fitness videos on Youtube. But the best way to learn is from taking a class or a private lesson. You can find classes at many gyms or the YMCA. You can find private Aqua instructors by looking online or asking at a gym. Senior centers with a pool sometimes teach Aqua as well. If you live in the Claremont, CA, area and want to start out by taking a private lesson in the privacy of your own pool, I offer private Aqua Fitness lessons and small group Aqua Fitness lessons.
Check out my Aqua Fitness Pinterest Board where I post cute swimsuits, aqua fitness tips, and fitness inspiration memes.