When you think of water exercise, water weights might be the first thing that comes to mind. They can be amazing tools to add resistance and intensity to your workouts. But there’s a lesser-known tool that can absolutely revolutionize your water exercise routine and give you bigger and better results than ever: gloves.
Often overlooked, gloves can act as water weights, providing the same benefits with added versatility and ease of use. Let’s dive in.
Why gloves are the secret to results in water exercise
1. Increases the resistance
Wearing gloves during water exercise increases the surface area of your hands, similar to traditional water weights. This increase in surface area creates more resistance as you move through the water, intensifying your workout and helping you build strength and endurance more efficiently.
2. Protects your joints
A significant advantage of wearing gloves is the reduction in joint stress. With gloves, movements are naturally slowed down, allowing for smoother, more controlled exercises. This means less jarring on your elbows and shoulders, making your workout safer and more effective, especially for those with joint issues.
3. Improved muscle activation
Gloves ensure that your muscles are fully engaged with each stroke. The added resistance from the gloves makes your muscles work harder, leading to improved strength, flexibility, and overall body function. This comprehensive engagement is key to achieving better fitness results.
How gloves work as water weights
While traditional water weights are held in your hands, your hands themselves become the resistance tools when you wear gloves. This integration allows for more natural and fluid movements, improving the overall effectiveness of your water workout.
In my 20 years of teaching water exercise, I’ve witnessed firsthand the remarkable impact gloves can have. One student, with decades of water exercise experience, experienced a significant transformation after incorporating gloves into her routine. The gloves activated her core, engaged her muscles more effectively, and reduced joint stress—all within a single session. This immediate improvement set her on a path to better body connection and enhanced overall fitness.
Choosing the right gloves
When selecting water exercise gloves, opt for fabric gloves over thicker neoprene ones. Fabric gloves allow freedom of movement, enabling you to adjust the resistance by changing the shape of your hand. The ability of fabric gloves to let water pass through reduces stress on the shoulders, elbows, wrists, and fingers, making them suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
For high-quality water exercise webbed gloves, check out H2Owear’s Chloroguard Gloves.
Learn how to use gloves in water exercise
Watch and learn. Here’s a demonstration that will help you understand the force in water as well as practice foundational movements, learn to adapt and modify techniques, and how gloves increase the intensity:
The takeaway
Incorporating webbed gloves into your water exercise routine can transform your workouts, offering greater muscle activation, reduced joint stress, and improved overall body function. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced exerciser, gloves provide a safe and effective way to enhance your water workouts and achieve your fitness goals.
Ready to dive into water workouts for your best results? Learn more about Wavemakers here, and join us inside for a supportive, fun, and results-focused way to reach your goals.
