Water aerobics is a very popular way to exercise for seniors, people who are overweight and those who are recovering from injury. Aqua Zumba incorporates dance and fitness moves and makes it fun for anyone who wants to exercise in the water. Accompanied by fun, upbeat music, Aqua Zumba makes exercising seem like a pool party.
Exercising in the water gives you the same benefits as exercising on land. Cardio stamina, muscle building, and weight loss can all be obtained from a water fitness class. Movement against water creates resistance that is similar to other resistance exercise such as weight lifting, exercise tubing and fitness machines. In addition the buoyancy of the water makes movement low impact creating less stress on the body.
Aqua Zumba uses mostly Latin music rhythms such as merengue, cumbia and salsa but can also use a variety of upbeat tempos as found in swing or country music. Because of the resistance of the water, movements will be slower than in a class you would do on land, yet they can be just as intense.
It is recommended to wear special water shoes while doing water aerobics. These shoes provide cushion and support and have tread on the sole to create traction for the bottom of the pool. Some aqua shoes have soles that facilitate water drainage.
Aqua instructors, who should have special training in teaching water aerobics, usually stand by the side of the pool while demonstrating the moves. According to Zumba Fitness, instructors who attend an Aqua Zumba training workshop "learn how to teach safe, effective and challenging water-based workouts that integrate the Zumba formula and philosophy into traditional aqua fitness disciplines." There is a pre-requisite to taking this workshop and that is to have taken the basic Zumba training workshop and to be a member of ZIN (Zumba Instructor Network).
