At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.
What are the Different Types of Water Aerobics Equipment?
Water aerobics is a form of exercise popular with people who have certain health conditions, including joint problems, arthritis and soft tissue injuries. It typically consists of aerobic exercises that are performed in a pool. This type of exercise offers the benefits of aerobic exercise with much lower risks of injuries to the muscles and joints. There are many kinds of water aerobics equipment that can be used, including foam noodles, buoyancy belts, kickboards, weights and gloves.
Noodles are one of the most commonly used types of water aerobics equipment. Made from lightweight, buoyant polyethylene foam, they are used in numerous water aerobics exercises. They are water resistant and can bend to assist in many exercise positions. Noodles provide balancing support and added resistance for both upper and lower body workouts. They are utilized in water jogging exercises as well as abdominal exercises.
A buoyancy belt is worn around the waist to assist a person doing deep water aerobics. It is very effective because it stabilizes a person’s center of gravity while in the water. This piece of water aerobics equipment also allows great range of motion, so arms and legs can be worked out at the same time. Many people use buoyancy belts during other types of water activities in place of life jackets.
Also called flutter boards or paddle boards, kickboards are a type of water aerobics equipment used to support a person’s weight when he is doing lower body exercises in the water. They typically are constructed of high-density foam. Kickboards can help build stronger leg muscles, improve kicking techniques and increase ankle flexibility. Kickboards also allow the exerciser to keep his or her head out of the water but still have a high-intensity workout.
Water aerobics weights can be water-resistant dumbbells held in the hands or worn on the wrists and ankles. They provide additional resistance to build arm and leg muscles. Many people simply hold or wear them while doing standard water aerobics exercises, and others do specific repetition exercises with them. Water aerobics weights typically come in many sizes and amounts of weight.
Some people wear water aerobics gloves, which have webbed fingers. They are made from flexible neoprene and typically have adjustable sizes to fit the person’s hands. This type of water aerobics equipment is utilized to build stamina and strength during a water aerobics practice. They work in two ways, including protecting the hands from becoming shriveled in the water and providing increased resistance during the exercises.
AS FEATURED ON:
AS FEATURED ON:
-
![Water aerobics is an exercise performed in a pool.]()
By: american911Water aerobics is an exercise performed in a pool. -
![Water aerobics weights are made from polyethylene foam.]()
By: Pavel ParmenovWater aerobics weights are made from polyethylene foam. -
![Water aerobic dumbbells can be held in the hands or worn on the wrists or ankles during water exercises.]()
By: Mark HerreidWater aerobic dumbbells can be held in the hands or worn on the wrists or ankles during water exercises. -
![Water aerobics can be a good alternative for people who don't want to jog or engage in other high-impact workouts.]()
By: AntonioguillemWater aerobics can be a good alternative for people who don't want to jog or engage in other high-impact workouts.
Discussion Comments
@Fa5t3r - People should be cautious about "designing their own gear" particularly if they are trying to make a flotation device. You don't want to make something that is going to tip you upside down and keep you there or anything like that.
And some pieces of aqua aerobics equipment aren't that easy to make on your own. A lot of the ladies at my local pool seem to use these miniature flippers on their hands and feet which I think you'd definitely have to buy.
@Iluviaporos - In my experience, public swimming pools will provide all the water fitness equipment that people could possibly need as long as you ask for it. Sometimes you might need to pay a small rental fee, depending on what it is, but even that is rare. A pool noodle is not usually the kind of thing that you can damage or carry away with you, after all.
They aren't all that expensive either. Anything made out of that buoyant foam is only going to cost a few dollars at the local Walmart and you can cut them into whatever shape you need for a particular piece of equipment.
The whole point is to make it more difficult for your arms and legs to move through the water, or to make it easier to stay afloat and upright, so if you keep those two things in mind, you will be able to design your own gear.
You don't actually need any gear to do water aerobics. You can get away with just yourself in a shallow pool, where you don't need to float. At the most simple level, walking around in the pool is a pretty good workout and still very gentle on your joints.
Doing other exercises like star jumps or squats is also good for you and doesn't require any equipment. Don't let your lack of equipment keep you from doing exercise in the water. Although if you are doing a specific water fitness class, you might need to check and make sure you have what they want you to have before it starts.
Post your comments