Exercise "Weightless" in the pool.

Here is yet another advantage to using water as an exercise medium  -  effects of immersion on body weight.  The amount of your body's weight which you support is reduced in water.  In other words, the deeper the water, the more the drop in the amount of weight your body supports.  Stand in a pool at knee depth and your body has to support 65% of your weight, at waist depth 50%, chest depth 25% and only 10% at neck depth.  This offers a wonderful opportunity for everyone, especially the overweight, the pregnant, the injured, the arthritic and even the beginner.   Water exercise is low impact and yet provides gentle resistance to improve flexibility and muscle tone.  Water workouts also increase circulation to deep tissue and accelerate healing for those recovering from injury.  

A person can also experience exercise "weightless" in 6 - 9 ft. deep water.  This technique can be described as deep water running.  All you need is a flotation belt that keeps the body in a vertical position with your head above water.  It is as simple as taking the running motion that is performed on land and put it in the water.  Your body is submerged so that the hydrostatic pressure around your body improves cardiac function, lowers blood pressure, and assists the body in tissue healing.  

Now you can take your exercise sessions to the water and choose the depth that you find the most beneficial to you.  It is summer and you may find a local pool offering classes.  Always check with your doctor if you plan on starting a new exercise routine and inform your instructor of your special health needs.  There are books and videos available if you are unable to find a class in your area.  Basically, you can perform most "land" exercises in the pool.  Get out there - Slather on the sunscreen and - Try it out!