Heart Health
What makes water workouts so worthwhile?
Aquatic exercise is an effective, joint-friendly way to strengthen your cardiovascular system and muscles alike.
- Reviewed by Christopher P. Cannon, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Heart Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
Summer's sultry weather often encourages people to spend time in a pool, lake, or ocean. Water can be both refreshing and relaxing — and it's also a great setting for doing a heart-healthy workout, whether that's swimming laps or doing water aerobics.
"Swimming is one of the best forms of cardiovascular exercise," says Dr. Aubrey Grant, a sports cardiology fellow at the Cardiac Performance Laboratory at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital. In fact, water-based exercise offers several unique advantages over aerobic exercise done on land, he notes.
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About the Author
Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter
About the Reviewer
Christopher P. Cannon, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Heart Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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