If you've got trouble with chronic back pain or stiff joints, water aerobics might be the exercise regimen for you. Without the restrictions of gravity and only the resistance of the water to tone your muscles and support your weight at the same time, you are able to reach a range of movement unavailable at your usual workout machines.

Flexibility is improved, muscular strength is built, endurance is tested and overall body composition is helped. As an aerobic workout this exercise is also great for your cardiovascular system. Some positive by products of this practice are stronger abdominal core, leaner muscles, a reduction of body fat and a very efficient way to burn calories. The workout is fun and accessible; all fitness levels and all ages can benefit from this form of exercise.

Because this work out provides great cardio, it is a great addition to any weight loss plan. Aerobic exercises in general typically contain movements which will have you breathing much more frequently, getting blood pumping and bringing more oxygen to your muscles while you work. And this is necessary because this water activity works the muscles of the upper and lower body simultaneously for a maximum caloric expenditure. Even better, aerobic participants such as this one can help increase your Basal metabolic rate, helping you continue to burn calories long after your work out session is over.

It is not necessary to know how to swim in order to take an aquatic aerobics class. In fact, most of this exercise includes concepts that are quite opposite to those of a swimming work out. While a swimmer wants to minimize the drag or pull of the water on their body to go faster, in aquatic aerobics the goal is to do just the opposite. We maximize the pull of the water on our bodies in order to increase the resistance and give ourselves a better work out--no weights necessary.

In reality, the water behaves as a fluid, adjustable weight that can be changed at any time by simply moving faster. It's exactly the same as the difference in difficulty between walking in water and attempting to run in it. If you move slowly, the resistance is low and easy; the faster you move the more the resistance increases.

The beauty behind that idea is that you never have to worry about using the right amount of resistance. As you become stronger and develop your muscles, you will be able to move faster and naturally will feel more of the drag of the water, automatically increasing your resistance and keeping this exercise up to date and specially tailored to your specific needs. This allows for the elongation of muscles, creating lean muscle while obtaining tone.

Floatation devices are required as part of the attire, but are seldom necessary for actually safety--although it doesn't hurt. One of the uses of these devices is to help you concentrate on stabilizing your core; not an easy task when you're worried about sinking. Otherwise, attire is conservative and for ladies, a secure strap once piece suit is best. That's it. Now you're ready for your first water aerobics class. Have fun in the water!