Water aerobics tied to weight loss and a smaller waist
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- Reviewed by Anthony L. Komaroff, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Health Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
Aerobic exercise works the heart and lungs, staves off chronic disease, and keeps thinking and memory sharp. But doing aerobics on land (such as taking an aerobics class or walking briskly) can be tough on the joints, particularly if you have extra pounds placing more pressure on your legs. So why not try water aerobics? It's easier on the joints, thanks to buoyancy. Plus, a study published online March 11, 2025, by BMJ Open found that water aerobics can help people who are overweight whittle their waist and shed pounds. Researchers evaluated 10 randomized controlled trials of almost 300 people (ages 18 to 72) who were overweight or obese. They took part in various types of one-hour water aerobics classes two or three times a week, for up to 12 weeks. People who did water aerobics for at least 10 weeks, especially women ages 45 or older, lost up to 6 pounds and trimmed their waists by about an inch. Want to give water aerobics a try? Check your local pool or health club for classes, such as water jogging, water yoga, or aqua Zumba. For more ideas, check out the Harvard Special Health Report Aqua Fitness.
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About the Author
Heidi Godman, Executive Editor, Harvard Health Letter
About the Reviewer
Anthony L. Komaroff, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Health Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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