Fun Alternatives to Hitting the Gym

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Water Aerobics and Zumba are great forms of exercise. They are fun alternatives to more traditional gym workouts. People who aren't into going on runs, lifting weights, or doing sit-ups will love being able to swim or dance to get in their daily routines. If you are near a pool or body of water, you can do any water aerobics exercise, and if you have a way to play music, you can perform Zumba anywhere. Both are beneficial forms of exercise that make you want to get moving.

Swimming Towards Your Goals

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Water aerobics is the performance of aerobic exercise in shallow water. It is done mostly vertically and helps you gain resistance. Most water aerobics are performed in a group fitness class with a trained professional for about an hour, but you can also learn the simple exercises yourself. The motions focus on aerobic endurance, resistance training, and creating an enjoyable routine in the water.

Water aerobics is similar to land aerobics because it focuses on cardiac training; however, water aerobics also helps with water resistance and buoyancy. Exercising in the water is strength-training oriented due to the water resistance. Moving your body through the water creates a resistance that activates different muscle groups.

Although your heart rate doesn't increase as much as in land-based aerobics, the heart is working just as hard, and the underwater exercise actually pumps more blood to the heart. Water aerobics leads to a reduction of blood pressure and resting heart rate that improves health overall. Another benefit to water aerobics is that you are able to stay cool while you burn more calories.

Dance 'Till You Drop

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Zumba is an exercise fitness program that involves dance and aerobic movements performed to energetic music. The program has many different dance options, so it is safe and great for all ages. The choreography incorporates hip-hop, soca, samba, salsa, merengue, and mambo music types. Squats, lunges, and other exercises are also incorporated into the routines.

Zumba has the ability to burn calories, work out the entire body, boost the metabolism, increase endurance, boost mood, aid coordination, and improve confidence.The classes help build strength, improve motion and posture, and provide socialization. 

In one Zumba class, a person can burn between 500-1000 calories. Zumba’s hour-long classes get your body accustomed to ongoing exercise and energy expenditure. They make working out easier while promoting endurance. The dancers work out many muscle groups and accustom their joints to more unusual movements and stretches. This reduction in tension and range of motion boosts your posture and flexibility.

Zumba also increases coordination and decreases anxiety. The multi-tasking elements and dance motions in Zumba keep your body in prime physical shape; it keeps you well balanced and together. Zumba is a social activity that causes the release of endorphins and neurotransmitters that can improve mood and eliminate stress hormones in the body. Dancing makes exercising more enjoyable.

Skip the Traditional

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Water aerobics and Zumba are great alternatives to more traditional gym sessions. Both are fun, beneficial ways to stay in shape. These workouts are great to do with friends or by yourself and don't take up to much of your time. If you're more into being able to take a dip in the water, then water aerobics would be perfect for you. If you're more of a "shake-off-your-day" kind of person, then Zumba would be an amazing thing to add to your schedule. Water Aerobics and Zumba will help to improve your body and mind.