Are you suffering from pain in the lower back? If so, you’re not alone. Over 540 million people worldwide regularly deal with some kind of discomfort in their lower back. That’s more than 1 person in 10, and things are only expected to get worse with time, especially in low and middle-income countries.

During the recent years, it has been shown that water-based exercise can help alleviate lower back pain. This is because water workouts place minimal pressure on the hips, knees, joints, and back, which makes them especially useful for people who are suffering from conditions such as arthritis. 

We previously gave you a quick rundown of what water aerobics is and listed some of the many benefits aquatic exercise brings. Now we’ll explain how aqua aerobics classes in San Diego can help you reduce lower back pain. Read on to learn more. 

Is water aerobics good for lower back pain?

Absolutely. Since water buoyancy supports up to 90% of your weight, you can perform a broader range of motions without having to worry that you’ll end up over-straining your back. So grab a swimsuit and whatever other water aerobics equipment you may prefer, and get started! 

Here are some basic aquatic workouts you may want to try:

• Kickboard balancing. Sit on a swim bar or a kickboard and try to engage your abdominals while keeping your spine straight. Rest your legs naturally, raise your arms out to your sides, and place your hands on the kickboard. Hold this position for a minute.
• Water walking is exactly what it sounds like. Just walk around the swimming pool by taking long strides both backward and forward. Start in the shallow part and then gradually make your way to chest-high water. Keep your torso stable and your spine straight, and swing your arms.
• Superman stretches involve holding onto the side of the swimming pool with both hands. Keep your arms straight and wider than shoulder-width apart, and float on your belly in the water. This is a great way to give your back muscles and vertebrae a full-extension stretch. 

Is it OK to exercise with lower back pain?

It depends on the type of workout you’re doing and the cause of your lower back pain. As a general rule, lifting heavy weights, high impact cardio (road cycling, sprinting), hyperextensions and back extensions, toe-touches, and other difficult exercises should be avoided if you have a bad back.

However, in many cases, lower back pain is caused by underdeveloped core and back muscles that result in extra stress being placed on the back. This often leads to a sort of a Catch-22: your lower back hurts because your muscles aren’t strong enough, but you can’t strengthen these muscles because your lower back hurts. 

This is where water-based workouts come in. Aquatic aerobics enables you to build up these muscles without putting an unpleasant and potentially unhealthy strain on your lower back. The water also naturally massages your muscles, which further alleviates discomfort. 

Where can I find first-rate aqua aerobics classes in San Diego?

If you’re looking to take part in top-quality water aerobics classes held by experienced trainers, look no further than The Plunge. Located just a short walk from the Giant Dipper, we’re a historic San Diego swimming pool that provides its clients with the full range of water-based exercise, entertainment, and relaxation services. 

In addition to aquatic aerobics, our visitors can also take advantage of our superb public pool, daycare programs, swimming classes, party rentals, and more. Visit us today, or give us a call if you’d like to learn more about who we are and what we offer.