Strength gets a lot of attention when it comes to staying active. But if you want to walk with confidence, maintain your balance, and move with ease, there’s another key piece of the puzzle you don’t want to overlook: power.
Power is your ability to generate force quickly.
It’s what helps you:
- Push off the ground
- Catch yourself if you trip
- Keep a steady, efficient walking pace
And here’s the thing—power naturally declines with age if it’s not trained. One day you’re walking strong and steady, and the next, a small hill or busy parking lot feels like a challenge.
But the good news? You can rebuild power at any age—and the pool is the perfect place to start.
The Link Between Power, Walking Speed, and Independence
Walking briskly for just 30 minutes a day is one of the best things you can do for your health, brain, and mobility.
But in order to walk well, you need more than just strength—you need quick, coordinated movement powered by your feet and legs.
Here’s why lower-body power is essential:
- Sustained forward motion: Every step requires a fast, controlled reaction to push off and move forward
- Balance recovery: Power helps you respond quickly if you stumble or misstep
- Stride rhythm and length: More powerful steps help prevent fatigue and support smoother movement
Research shows that power—not just strength—accounts for up to 50% of the difference in walking speed among older adults.
And walking speed? It’s not just a number. It’s a powerful predictor of longevity, brain health, and overall independence.
Why the Pool Is Perfect for Power Training
You might think of water as gentle and slow—but that’s exactly what makes it so powerful for training quick, responsive movement.
In the pool, every movement meets resistance in all directions. That resistance forces your muscles to activate more forcefully, building power without putting extra stress on your joints.
Benefits of Water-Based Power Training:
- ✅ Joint-friendly resistance that protects your knees, hips, and back
- ✅ Improved cardiovascular health while building strength and speed
- ✅ A safe space to practice balance, reaction time, and dynamic movement
- ✅ The freedom to move fast—without fear of falling
From speed bursts and hopping drills to backward walking and directional changes, these water-based moves build the reactive power your body needs to walk better, feel steadier, and stay active longer.
Try Power Training with Wavemakers
This month in Wavemakers, we’re adding a new focus: building foot and lower body power for stronger walking, better balance, and real-life confidence.
These targeted exercises are designed to:
- Strengthen foot and ankle muscles
- Improve stride length and walking rhythm
- Build the quick-reactive power that helps you move forward with confidence
Whether you’re navigating a trail, walking the aisles at the grocery store, or stepping onto uneven ground, this type of training can make all the difference.
The 3-Part Formula for Foot Health After 70
This post is part of our 3-part series on foot function—because your foundation matters.
- Part 1: Foot Mobility – Restore pain-free range of motion
- Part 2: Foot Strength – Build endurance and stability from the ground up
- Part 3: You’re here! – Train explosive power for better balance and walking speed
Next week, we’ll wrap it all together with a complete water walking program you can use to feel your best every day.
Want to Move Better Starting Now?
Join Wavemakers and get full access to our newest workouts for:
- ✅ Knee pain relief
- ✅ Back strength
- ✅ Balance and mobility
- ✅ Power and walking performance
Ready to reclaim your stride and walk with more confidence? Let’s build your power—safely, effectively, and in your feel-good range.