Swimming is recognised as probably the most generally beneficial forms of exercise. The UK government have even taken steps to encourage everybody to get into swimming by reducing the charges at municipal swimming baths.

Swimming is great for everybody, young and old. Since body weight in water is only around one tenth of what it is in air aqua aerobics is particularly good for those who are overweight.

Regular swimming is particularly good for the cardiovascular system and will help to build endurance. It is an ideal form of exercise for pregnant women, those with back pain or arthritis. Your body is so much lighter in water making it an excellent way to work of those accumulated excess pounds. As peoples awareness of the need to maintain a healthy weight has grown so has the popularity of aqua aerobics. Aqua aerobics imposes less impact on the joints and this helps you to exercise for longer. You can expect to burn off as much as 300 calories in a 30 minute workout.

Aqua exercise is particularly good for improving strength and mobility. The cushioning effect of water makes this form of exercise particularly suitable forolder people and those who are carrying some excess weight.

If you are lucky enough to be close by to a swimming pool or health spa, you will have the best opportunity to get involved in some water based exercise. The trick with any new exercise regime is to start very gently. Less is more as the saying goes. The crucial thing is to not put yourself off. Your first few sessions should be all about enjoying yourself and getting into your new regular exercise regime. It might be worth having a massage after the first few sessions also, which will relax the muscles and get rid of any lactic acid build up.

Try a gentle introduction, particularly if you haven’t exercised in a while and why not invite some family or friends to join you. You are far more likely to stick to your new exercise regime if you have an exercise buddy to join you. You can pick up monthly memberships at leisure facilities or buy some spa gift vouchers, both of which make a perfect present for anyone wanting to get back in shape.

You might even want to think about investing in building a pool at your home. Youll need to be serious about aqua exercise, but in the long run youll find it much more convenient and even cost effective.