Aerobics is a time-tested way of getting a body in great shape. But not all of us are suited to the demands of aerobics… leg injuries, arthritis, and other issues can temporarily or permanently put a damper on that wonderful activity.

But along comes water to save the day! That’s right, simple water, one of the most basic elements of life, can help you get the exercise you need without any discomfort even if you have severe handicaps.

Water-based sports have been around for a long time, but by far the most popular of them has been swimming. The strain of swimming isn’t for everyone, though, and that same water pressure that pushes against the body in swimming can also hold it up in aerobics exercises.

Water aerobics is, simply put, aerobics done in the water, usually chest-deep in a swimming pool. It may also, at the user’s discretion, make use of fun or helpful accessories like floatation devices, weights, or of course the ever-enjoyable musical background accompaniment.

Water resistance slows and cushions the body, and keeps gravity from bearing down so heavily. All these traits make water-based aerobics exceptionally safer for muscles and joints.

Appropriate water temperature will also keep the body cool at a constant rate. This prevents overheating and allows you to go longer at your favorite exercises while tiring less easily.

Because of these health benefits, many doctors will recommend water aerobics for the injured or ill. It’s one of the most comforting, unintimidating, and easily-mastered of ways to exercise.

And, for the squeamish, of course water will mitigate the influence of sweat! That foul odor and annoying tickling sensation that may jerk away your concentration from your routine are obliterated in the presence of cool, encompassing liquid water.

It’s also a great way to get a change of scenery and grab a breath of fresh air. Most of us don’t have indoor swimming pools, after all, and a little sunshine or birds singing overhead can give you new found enthusiasm for a previously indoors-only activity.

To be fair, there is a minor drawback to doing your aerobics in the water. The resistance provided by the water will slow you down a bit, thus causing you to burn fewer calories compared to doing the same activity on dry land.

However, the fact that you can keep exercising in the water for longer helps even this out. If you go into water aerobics with the right mindset and technique, you’ll eventually step out of the pool amazed at how good you look.

If you’re interested in getting started, you can try with a simple jogging motion. The reduced pressure on your joints makes it a lot more pleasant on water than on land, which can be a pleasant surprise if you’re used to the ache of bad knees.

To further emphasize physical limitations on ground, if you’ve been frustrated that you can’t do power stepping becuase of leg trouble, water aerobics is your ticket to enjoying those steps. Whether the steps are built-in or a weighted, portable accessory, you can step up and down with a lot of speed and very little strain or stress on even the most sensitive parts of your joints.

There are many other kinds of exercises you can do in the water, so if the few examples tossed out don’t peak your interest, look around and see what’s out there! The water’s just waiting to be used, so you might as well enjoy it.