And it’s much more effective than working out and re-strengthening on dry land, where the body can be jolted by its own weight. Take a look at the short list of injuries and conditions below and see how working out in water can take a lot of the pain out of rehabilitation.
Arthritis
From aching knees to painful hand and wrist joints, arthritis can literally be a crippling disease. Because inflamed joints can stiffen and weaken as the condition progresses, many people suffering from arthritis find it nearly impossible to work out on dry land. Routines in the gym require patients to grasp, hold, and lift heavy objects, actions that are harsh on arthritic joints. Because water helps float and support the entire body, arthritic exerciser find it much easier and less painful to perform non-load bearing drills by using their natural resistance in the water. And it’s not just strengthening exercises that help people with the condition. Water aerobics routines can help participants work their cardiovascular system and shed unwanted pounds. Water-based routines are much easier on the joints than running, or even walking, is on dry land.
Any arthritic-easing workout would benefit from a flotation device that requires little to no gripping. The Water Gear Ther-A-Floats are the perfect add on to any water aerobics routine. The ultra buoyant, extremity floats slip onto the arms and help keep the body vertically suspended in deep water. They take the mind off of concentrating on floating and allow the swimmer to focus on the resistance training task at hand. Pair the floats with a neck collar to further help float and relax the entire body. The Kiefer Adjustable Adult Flotation Neck Collar fits easily around the neck and is perfect for taking a break between rigorous sets. In fact, it can be used when not exercising as well, and is a perfect way to get full-body relaxation and relief when in the water.
Rehabilitating Injuries
Exercising in the water is also a great way to help strengthen injured areas. The water allows you to slowly add non-load bearing resistance training and build up lost muscle mass, without putting strain or pain on old injuries. The natural flotation properties of water can also help you stretch out tight ligaments and regain flexibility over time. It’s even a great way to safely cross train if you’re suffering from reoccurring injuries in your primary sport. Hand buoys are a great way to add low-impact strength training to your water workout routine. Taking a step up from arthritic-specific exercises, hand buoys help engage the upper body and build muscle. The Water Gear Aquaflex Paddles are adjustable water fans that add variable resistance to any water workout. They are one of the easiest and most effective ways to add resistance strength training into your water-based rehabilitation routine.
