For a long time, water sports have had an old-fashioned image, associated primarily with aqua aerobics classes for older adults. But these types of disciplines are gaining popularity, and more people around the world are now engaging in some form of physical activity in the water .
Although swimming is one of the most popular water sports, other activities such as aquabiking, water yoga, or aquacardio-sculpt, and now more modern and intense disciplines such as aquaboxing, aquapalming, or aquadynamic, also have a larger following.
Why do water sports?
We spoke with Victoria Tchaikovsky, a sports doctor at the Clinique Drouot in Paris, France, who explained the benefits of water sports for the body and mind.
First, the impact on the body is less when you’re in the water: “When you’re submerged up to your neck, you’re free of 90% of your weight,” she explains. The result is less impact, and the joints and spine are kept in better condition; therefore, swimming is one of the ideal exercises for reducing joint stress. In terms of exercise, water makes it more intense because its natural resistance “forces you to exert more muscle power, while limiting the risk of injury.” Finally, the range of motion is much greater, which, according to the doctor, “makes it an ideal means of strengthening and improving mobility .”
But thanks to the modernization of equipment and training methods, new disciplines are emerging that combine fun, intensity, and muscle building. We’ll explain why you should try them.
Aquapalming: leg strengthening and endurance
If you’re looking to sculpt and tone your legs and improve your breathing, aqua palming is a great ally. It involves performing strokes and waves in a vertical, horizontal, or seated position, all while using swim fins. It’s perfect for shaping thighs and glutes with in-depth muscle work; improving endurance, especially for swimmers or trainers looking for a cardiovascular boost; and protecting joints, especially for those with back or knee problems.
Aquaboxing: release tension with explosive cardio
Imagine a boxing class, but in the water. That’s aquaboxing: punching, kicking, dodging, and following movements to the beat of upbeat music. No contact, just ultra-solid cardio. The benefits of aquaboxing? You burn calories and increase your endurance, working your heart and lungs. Your arms, shoulders, and core are all put to work to strengthen your upper body .
It’s also an alternative to traditional combat sports, as there’s no need to take blows. It’s ideal for those who want to get started in boxing without experiencing joint trauma. “These classes are quite intense. You don’t build much muscle because the water is the only resistance, but it’s excellent for cardio,” notes Victoria Tchaikovsky.
Aquadynamic: the fat-burning trick
A blend of fitness, dance, and cardio training … in the water. Aquadynamic promises to tone your figure while you have fun with rhythmic aquatic choreographies. The results: an increased metabolism, excellent for weight loss; complete muscle stimulation, without joint trauma; and a wellness effect, as the water acts like a whirlpool, helping to combat fluid retention and the feeling of heavy legs.
And for those who don’t like water sports?
“ Water sports aren’t just for older adults,” insists Victoria Tchaikovski. “ Aqua biking, for example, is usually more muscularly demanding than a traditional bicycle, because you have to fight against the water’s resistance .” As for contraindications, they are rare: “They only relate to skin conditions such as psoriasis or infections, or certain heart problems,” adds the sports doctor.
In short, should you practice water sports? Absolutely. In addition to being all-encompassing, they provide true mental well-being: better sleep, stress reduction, and a feeling of lightness. And for those who hate the pool? “In physiotherapy, there’s balneotherapy, which involves exercising in warm water, ideal for joint pain and osteoarthritis,” emphasizes Victoria Tchaikovsky.
So, are you convinced of the benefits of water sports?