water aerobics

[surgtech1956]

My doctor recommends that I do some sort of swimming for my knee. I am not a swimmer. Does anyone do water aerobics or water walking? Or should I just take a 'learn to swim' class?

[Kano]

I have done water aerobics and water jogging type classes. I enjoyed both, and then moved away from the very convenient swimming hole. I never did get back to it after that...

I don't know how it would work out for your knee -- what's the doc say?

Karen in Boise

[Zen]

Depending on the instructor, a water aerobics class can be a tough work out.
If you have a YMCA nearby they usually let non-members take classes for a slightly higher fee.
I think this is great idea. It builds the muscles that surround and support the knee without the burden of bearing body weight

[SouthernBelle]

If nothing else, you can get a paddleboard and just kick from one end of the pool to the other. That gives you the board to hang on to and works your legs.

[Tri Girl]

When I injured my knee 2 years ago (in the middle of marathon training), I had to water-run until it healed. It not only helped maintain my running fitness, but it kept me in running shape when I couldn't put any pounding weight on that knee. They had flotation belts at the gym and I just put one on and "ran" up and down the length of the pool ad nauseum. It was boring, but good for me. Depending on the rec. from your doc, I'd think water walking would be a good alternative or even kicking w/the kickboard- like Southern Belle suggested. Water aerobics can be a good workout- depending on the instructor. You can always make it lower impact so you get a good workout, but don't aggravate your knee.
I'm such a believer in water fitness. Anything in the water is bound to keep you limber/strong while keeping weight/pressure off those nagging bits.

[Torrilin]

If you don't know how to swim at all, I'd start there. You'll feel safer in the pool that way. You'll also *be* safer.

If you can already swim (or after you've learned) try things out to see what you like best. I prefer lap swimming, and find water walking and water aerobics pretty tedious. You may be different tho.

Just keep in mind that anything you do in the water will be under resistance and probably at a lower temperature than you're used to. Even a lot of heated pools are kept around 70-75 F, so it can be easy to get chilled if you don't keep moving. And outdoor pools may be open even if the water is 60 F. Swimming and other forms of water exercise can be *very* hard workouts, but if the water temperature is low you might not feel like it was.