5 on Your Side: Benefits of water workouts

If you want to amp up your work-out, think about hitting the pool!

It can help improve your blood pressure, boost your brain power, and strengthen your body.

And health experts at Consumer Reports say another bonus of a water workout is what it doesn't do to your joints.

Experts say you can get a great total body workout in a pool, and not just in the lap lanes.

Fitness fanatics should consider trying a class that uses treadmills in the water or lets you spin on an aqua cycle.

You can also burn calories and strengthen your cardiovascular system.

Another added benefit you don't get on land: Water is denser than air, so it provides more resistance, which means you're challenging your muscles in a different way.

Stretching with aqua yoga or aqua Pilates can help improve agility and flexibility.

Water workouts are less punishing on your body.

You're buoyant in water, so there's less pain and stress on your hips, knees, and other joints.

That may allow you to stay active longer.

Many area pools offer water workout classes.

flotation belt to run in deep water.

Whatever you choose, do it at a moderate intensity at least twice a week to reap the rewards.