Can You Lose Weight Doing Water Aerobics?
Water aerobics is a great way to stay fit and is extremely popular among seniors because of its low-impact nature. Prenatal water aerobics is also commonly used to ease the many uncomfortable effects of pregnancy. However, this form of exercise can be beneficial for many other people as well. Does water aerobics work for weight loss? The short answer is yes, it does! This is how.
Burn Fat Faster with Water Aerobics
All types of exercise burn fat, and water aerobics is no exception. In fact, working out in water actually enables you to burn even more calories in a shorter timeframe than you would on land. Anything you do in the water is harder than when you do it on land, as anyone who’s ever tried to walk underwater knows. The resistance provided by the water means that every movement, even the simplest ones like walking, helps to burn more fat than it does on land.
How Many Calories Are Burned Doing Water Aerobics?
This is a common question especially when considering the weight loss potential of water exercise. Before they start a class, many people’s search history is filled with ‘how many calories do you burn water aerobics’ or ‘aquafit calories burned’. The good news is that if you are looking to shift a few pounds, water aerobic classes could be the way to go.
As it combines cardio and strength training and people can push themselves a bit further due to the support of the water, you can burn up to 800 calories in a session. Calories burned in aquafit will vary per person based on a variety of factors such as weight, but you’ll be near this figure.
To put it into context, if you were running, you’d burn around 60 calories per kilometre so the amount of calories burned in Aquafit is equivalent to just under a 13.5 kilometre run. The stats for weightlifting vary because every person’s capacity is different but estimates range between 180-300 calories per hour. If we go for the middle of 240 that means the answer to ‘how many calories burned in aqua aerobics’ is the same amount as almost 3.5 hours of weightlifting.
You’d have to combine the two exercises we’ve given as examples to get the strength and cardio benefits of water fitness so it’s clear to see how water aerobics can be easier to build into a routine.
If you’re trying to bulk up specific muscles, you could of course add strength training alongside water fitness. Or if you enjoy running, extra cardio isn’t going to hurt. For those who struggle with other forms of exercise though and need the support of water, it’s useful to know the answer to ‘how many calories does water aerobics burn’ especially when it’s higher than expected.
Water Aerobics Helps Build Muscle
Exercising in water is a form of resistance training, due to the weight of the water. This means that when you’re performing any water aerobics workout, you’re building muscle and becoming stronger. Performing cardio, like water aerobics is, does help with weight loss, but combining it with resistance training makes the process even faster. Doing both at the same time is therefore ideal. Muscle requires more calories to maintain than fat does, enabling you to be able to eat more without putting on the pounds.
Building muscle is actually an excellent way to reduce fat even while remaining at the same weight. You’re changing the composition of your body instead of losing weight, meaning you’ll look more toned and fit because your body fat percentage is smaller, and you have more muscle.
Water Aerobics is Easier to Stick With
The biggest fault of any workout plan isn’t that it doesn’t work, but that you don’t stick to it. For an exercise to work, you need to do it regularly. Running on a treadmill might not be your thing and can quickly become boring. Water aerobics, on the other hand, doesn’t even feel like exercise. It’s tons of fun and won’t feel like a chore. If you enjoy it, you’re going to keep doing it, meaning you’re going to lose more weight than you would if you went for a jog once every few months.
Does Water Aerobics Help with Weight Loss?
Water aerobics is an excellent solution for those looking to lose weight when other forms of exercise are too difficult or painful. Joint pain and chronic conditions can make traditional workouts nearly impossible, but water aerobics offers a low-impact alternative. Because the water supports your body weight, it won’t exacerbate joint pain and can actually help relieve it. This allows you to maintain proper form for longer periods, maximizing the effectiveness of the exercise. It also eliminates the pain and discomfort that often cause people to give up on other types of workouts. Water exercises make weight loss and fitness accessible to all age groups and physical abilities.
So, can water aerobics help you lose weight? Absolutely! Burning fat while building muscle is essential for staying healthy and boosting metabolism, and water aerobics does just that. With the potential to burn up to 800 calories per session, it’s clear that this gentle yet effective workout can help shift stubborn weight.
A healthy diet combined with regular exercise is the key to sustainable weight loss. For those struggling with joint pain, water aerobics offers a gentler approach that still delivers results. This is why it's popular among seniors who want to maintain fitness as they age. As you build muscle, you'll experience better joint support, leading to less pain and a greater likelihood of sticking with your fitness routine.
If you’ve been asking, ‘Can water aerobics help lose weight?’ or ‘How many calories burned doing water aerobics?’, now you know. The answer is yes! Why not give it a try? Book a phone appointment with us today at one of our swimming pools in Hamilton and take the first step toward your fitness goals.