Aqua running and water walking are becoming an increasingly popular way for athletes of every fitness level to work in some great resistance cardiovascular training.  Wondering how aqua running or “water jogging” can improve your health?

A Low Impact Cardio Workout

The reason why so many individuals can do a number of swimming pool exercises like aqua running is because it’s a low impact cardio workout. This means a significant decrease of wear and tear on your muscles and joints, which is a “must” for athletes with injuries or individuals with joint problems, such as arthritis.

A Strengthening Exercise

Not keen on resistance bands and weights?  Then start water jogging.  The water you’re forced to press through and up against while jogging or even walking creates natural resistance which will make your muscles work much harder and get much stronger in a shorter period of time.

An Increased Range of Motion

Another benefit to performing any number of pool exercises is that the water helps increase one’s range of  motion.  This is great for anyone who’s nursing a sports injury or who is looking to safely increase his or her flexibility.

Tips For a Successful Aqua Run

Aqua running can be tricky at first, so we’ve put together a few tips to get you started:

• Try to imitate your normal walking or running style
• Try to have the bottoms of your feet push or kick the water out from behind you
• To intensify your workout, take shorter and faster strides
• Your heart rate will be 10% lower than it is on land, but don’t let that fool you – you’re getting in the same great workout, so don’t push yourself too hard
• Use or wear a flotation device if necessary while aqua running (i.e. life jacket, pool noodle, etc.)

Shasta Pools is a Phoenix pool builder who provides a variety of services including swimming pool remodeling, commercial pool building, and pool service and repair. Since its establishment in 1967, Shasta has helped over 80,000 families realize their dream of pool ownership. By providing exceptional value, quality craftsmanship and superior customer service, the Shasta team continues to fulfill the corporate mission of astonishing and delighting their customers and exceeding expectations. You can learn more about Shasta Pools & Spas by visiting them online, or by connecting with them on Facebook or Twitter.