What exactly is it?
This is an exercise often recommended by doctors to aid in physical therapy. It involves pedaling on a wheel-less bicycle fixed to the bottom of the pool. The body is immersed up to the chest, and the resistance of the bicycle is gradually adjusted for a 30- or 45-minute session.
http://old.mustela.com/sites/mustela.com/files/field/2-aquabiking_img2.jpg
What are the benefits?
Promotes blood circulation: The treading motion in water is similar to lymphatic drainage, which helps stimulate venous return and combat leg heaviness and swelling. Even better, the water resistance combined with the circular motion of treading can gradually reduce cellulite.
Benefits to the whole body: Like road or indoor cycling, water cycling is an endurance sport that can improve cardiopulmonary function while stabilizing blood pressure and blood sugar.
Boost energy and mood: Muscles (calves, thighs, glutes, and abs) will be gently and deeply toned, making you feel more confident and energetic. As for your mood, it's like floating on clouds: This gentle and stress-free endurance exercise will stimulate the release of endorphins, the "happiness hormone," with immediate results.
Perfectly reduces joint stress: In water, three-quarters of your weight is reduced, making movements easier and gentler. Choosing low-weight exercises avoids injury to your back, tendons, and joints. These types of exercises can also improve muscle and postural imbalances that cause mechanical pain in the hips, knees, and lower back.
Precautions
The first point is to consult a doctor. While this exercise is generally not recommended only for people with heart conditions or severe arthritis flare-ups, every situation is unique, especially during pregnancy.
The second point is to maintain a pain-free experience. This means exercising at your own pace, ensuring the pedals are installed correctly, the seat height is adjusted appropriately, avoiding arching your back, keeping your head and back aligned, and performing light stretches at home after class.
Where can I get it done?
Ideally, classes would be held in a dedicated center offering private rooms or shared rooms with friends. These private environments are typically pristine and offer coaching services to create personalized plans, allowing you to choose your preferred time. Some centers even offer treading classes against a chroma therapy backdrop, while playing your own music or watching a movie. Group classes in the pool are also an option, but time is limited, and the group atmosphere forces you to keep up, even when tired… which isn't ideal these days.
