While fireworks are lighting up the summer sky, our goals to exercise might be fizzling out. But don’t wait until January to start over. It’s important to your health and well-being to stay active year-round. One way to get going again involves water, and lots of it.
The pool provides a low-impact, joint-friendly environment. Swimming is a great way to exercise, and swimmers and non-swimmers alike can participate in water aerobics or aqua therapy. SilverSneakers® can help you get started.
Using the pool to exercise may:
- Reduce arthritis and joint pain. The buoyancy of the water gives you freedom of movement while providing support and helping to relieve pain and stiffness.
- Improve strength, flexibility, and balance. Studies show that aqua therapy exercise improves lower body strength, power, flexibility, agility, and balance. Building strength in the water can help prevent falls on dry land, such as making it easier to recover from a stumble.
- Lower systolic blood pressure (SBP). This is the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. Exercising in an aquatic environment is a great alternative for people who have high blood pressure. It may help lower SBP, which has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
SilverSneakers is a health and fitness benefit designed specifically for adults 65+, and is included with your HealthTeam Advantage plan at no additional cost. Learn more about water aerobics and swimming in this article from SilverSneakers, Swimming Workout for Seniors: 10 Tips for Better Technique.
SilverSneakers is more than a fitness program—it’s a way of life. With SilverSneakers, you get access to:
- memberships to thousands of fitness locations,1 (many have pools)
- group exercise classes2 designed for all abilities
- instructors trained in senior fitness
- fun activities held outside the gym
- SilverSneakers On-Demand online workout videos for at-home workouts, available 24/7
- SilverSneakers LIVE full-length classes and workshops (exercise with others, but from the comfort of home)
- SilverSneakers GO mobile app with workout programs, location finder and more
Go to SilverSneakers.com/GetStarted to get your SiIverSneakers ID number today.
Always talk with your doctor before starting any exercise program.
- Participating locations (“PL”) are not owned or operated by Tivity Health, Inc. or its affiliates. Use of PL facilities and amenities are limited to terms and conditions of PL basic membership. Facilities and amenities vary by PL.
- Membership includes SilverSneakers instructor-led group fitness classes. Some locations offer members additional classes. Classes vary by location.
SilverSneakers is a registered trademark of Tivity Health, Inc. © 2023 Tivity Health, Inc. All rights reserved. SSFP3933_0323