We have all heard the term “move it or lose it.” However as
we age, many individuals have ailments that limit their ability to move
freely. For these individuals, the pool may be their only option for exercise
or therapy. When you get into a pool, your body becomes buoyant which
takes the stress of your weight off of your joints allowing you to exercise
for longer periods of time. The pool also provides an environment that
promotes improved balance and coordination which is important to maintain
as we age to aid in fall prevention.
Whether our members are walking in the pool, treading water on a noodle,
performing exercises prescribed by a therapist, swimming laps or participating
in a group aquatics class, they benefit by increasing their heart rate
and freely moving their joints while experiencing relief from symptoms
associated with neuropathy, arthritis, fibromyalgia and many other health
conditions. Many of our members love to use our water dumbbells, noodles
and balls to enhance their strength training as well as aquatic belts
to allow their body to float.
The Arthritis Foundation recommends a pool temperature of 83°F to 88°F
for arthritis and the Aquatic Exercise Association (AEA) recommends a
temperature of 86° to 88° for Fibromyalgia. At Fitness Plus, our
pool maintains a temperature of 88°F, year-round, and was designed
to be a safe, therapeutic, non-intimidating environment for our therapy
patients and fitness members to better their quality of life. Our members
love that they can get in their bathing suit and not feel self conscious
about the way they look. Our water level ranges from 3.5 ft to 5 ft deep
to accommodate individuals of various heights. We also provide a lift
chair and staircase entrance to assist any individuals who may need assistance
getting in or out of the pool.
“Our members who participate in regular pool therapy or aquatic exercise
at our facility testify that it is an excellent environment to improve
their health and mobility, and decrease their pain while socializing with
friends,” says April Berg, Fitness Plus Member Specialist. “This
is why seniors love our pool!”
