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Water Walking: A Different Way to Exercise
Posted by | Posted in Exercise, SportsCare | Posted on 04-18-2012
More people are trying out pool walking as a way to incorporate exercise into their daily routine. Walking in a pool is easier on the joints, explains Grace Sorrentino, RN, cardiac rehab nurse with Memorial Heart and Vascular Services.
Because of the buoyancy of the water, “you’re only supporting 50 percent of your body weight, which is really important for people who have some limitations,” she says, including people with arthritis or fibromyalgia or who are overweight. “If you’re not able to use machines to exercise, you should consider water walking for your exercise,” Sorrentino says.
The Gus and Flora Kerasotes YMCA in Springfield has a pool with a current that’s ideal for water walkers. By walking against the current, people can burn more calories in less time.
The American Heart Association encourages people to find at least 30 minutes of physical activity into their daily routine. Water walking provides an easy way to meet your daily exercise quota.
Many years ago when I was in High School, I injured my knee and needed surgery. I was on crutches with a leg stabilizing brace for two weeks. My rehab during this two weeks was mostly pool walking. I thought the rehab nurse was crazy when she first told me about it, but she explained that the water took my weight, and thus the stress, off of my knee which would help me to more quickly and safely strengthen my leg muscles.
She was right. Once I got used to walking in water (it’s easy, but does wear you out), it was clear that it was a great way to build back my strength without harming my knee.
I highly recommend this form of rehab and exercise.