How can you heal yourself and exercise with reduced risk of injury? Try a heated pool!
You probably remember the popular commercial from the 1970s when an overwhelmed woman says, “Calgon, take me away!” followed by a scene of her relaxing in a warm, bubbly tub while all her cares melt away.
Turns out, the benefits of soaking or exercising in warm water are backed up by research. The Arthritis Foundation says warm water is “a powerful weapon against aches, stiffness and fatigue” and the Centers for Disease Control found that “exercise therapy in warm water can decrease depression and improve mood.”
As those of us who have ever had a “Calgon moment” know, the value of a warm-water bath are well known. Here at Lake Gibson Village, our heated pool allows you to combine the healing benefits of hydrotherapy with those gained from exercising in an environment that reduces the stress on your joints.
And what are those benefits?
- Increases joint flexibility and muscle strength. The buoyancy of the water makes it less painful for you to move and protects joints. The water also provides resistance, which helps strengthen your muscles.
- Decreases pain. Warm water increases blood supply to muscles and helps to relax muscles that are sore or tight.
- Improves balance. The pressure and buoyancy of the water supports your body while you exercise, without fear of falling or getting hurt.
- Elevates mood. Feeling down? Low-impact exercise in a pool can help brighten your spirits.