Team Franciscan Center: Wellness in the Water

Dr. Jack Harless

Manager of The Franciscan Center

This month I’d like to highlight some of our water wellness activities. Robert Forster, PT, in his book The Complete Waterpower Workout describes six key benefits to water exercise. They are:

1. Strong Body Alignment – Moving in water forces us to use muscles that very often are underutilized on land. These same underutilized muscles are largely responsible for the vast majority of our musculoskeletal aches & pains.

2. Balanced Strength in muscle pairs – working out in the water forces us to use both halves of each muscle pair, which leads to greater overall balanced strength & stability.

3. Aerobic & Anaerobic fitness – in water, aerobic exercise is achieved without the strain & effort associated with the same activities on land & anaerobic activities are usually done without the participant being aware that they are even doing them! Most people feel refreshed & invigorated after a water workout. Even after an hour!

4. Increased Flexibility – In most cases it is easier & more enjoyable to stretch in the water, especially if the water is warm. Increased enjoyment leads to increased compliance!

5. Overall Balance & Coordination- Balance improves without the risk of injury sometimes associated with land based exercises.

6. Increased sense of well-being – there’s something about the water that seems to just wash the stress away from lives. Water is universally fun!

At the Franciscan Center we have a slew of water classes designed to embrace all of the above concepts. With state of the art facilities, and a wonderful staff we are committed to providing wellness in the water & all the wonderful benefits it brings. Come get wet with us at the Franciscan Center!