Like most people, Latoya Petti knows that she needs to exercise, but in 2014, she sustained a back injury that made it difficult for her to engage in impact exercises. Her doctor recommended that she give aqua aerobics a go, as it would be easier on her joints.

Petti was happy when she discovered aqua aerobics. It provided her with a great cardio workout. And she, like many people, was surprised by the training benefits she gain from using the water as resistance. Because of the buoyancy of the water, working out in the pool provided a perfect fit for her.

“I liked it,” she said. “It was a good workout because you don’t feel like it’s exercise because you’re having fun, but you still feel the exercises in your muscles, so you know you’re working.”

Petti said she saw results in being able to do things she hadn’t been able to do prior to starting aqua aerobics, like lifting herself out of the water.

Petti is just one of many people who in recent years have discovered aqua aerobics, a low impact, high intensity form of exercise that is safer on joints, provides effective toning, improves strength, including core strength and burns calories, according to Miquela Rolle, doctor of physical therapy at Paramount Rehabilitation and Fitness at #97A Thompson Boulevard.

“Aqua aerobics is just like regular aerobics in terms of exercising in a group setting to music. However, it’s just that you’re in the water in a three to four-foot-deep pool with six to eight people in a class, so it’s very personal and personalized, but you have a lot of fun because you can work all of the muscles that you would work on land, and it’s safer and easier for your joints, but also effective,” she said.

Dr. Rolle believes everyone can benefit from exercise, but that aqua aerobics is especially good for people who have had injuries in the past, such as injuries affecting the knee, lower back, spine, neck and shoulder. Working out in a pool, she said, eliminates the impact of the exercise and allows people to work at a very high intensity.

Aqua aerobics classes offer something different to a traditional gym workout. Typically, aqua aerobics classes will involve all the exercises you would expect in a “dry” class but with added bonuses you can only get from exercising in water. Water supports the body, putting less stress on joints and muscles; this support is great for people who are older, have suffered an injury or are recovering from illness.

Water pressure helps the heart move blood around the body putting less strain on it. The lessened impact of gravity allows for a greater range of motion. Working out in water can also prevent overheating, helping you exercise for longer. And you have fun while getting a great all-over workout.

As a person’s exercise heart rate is lower in the water, compared to doing land-based exercises due to the buoyancy and cooling effects of the water. Water aerobics also allows for a greater range of motion, helping with flexibility. And because of the water’s natural resistance, it helps build muscle tone and endurance.

But exercising in water does come with its stereotypes. Many people are of the opinion that aqua aerobics is for old people and that one must know how to swim to participate. Dr. Rolle said both stereotypes are incorrect. She said anyone who wants to can participate and benefit from aqua aerobics, and that participants don’t have to know how to swim.

For those people who can’t swim, classes can be modified by incorporating other exercises. She also said for people terrified of the water that it’s a perfectly safe environment because they’re not getting water splashed in their faces. And women don’t have to get their hair wet, but if they are concerned, she said a swim cap could remedy the situation. And she encourages the wearing of sunblock as skin protection.

Her proudest moment, she said, is when she sees people come to her who are timid and hadn’t been able to exercise for a while because of pain in their joints, lower back, knees, shoulders and who, eventually, are able to participate in an activity without the pain.

“I’ve always found that to be relatively good success,” said the physical therapy doctor.

Dr. Rolle has been teaching aqua aerobics since she returned home in 2011, and has operating out of Paramount Rehabilitation and Fitness that opened in January. Aqua aerobics classes kicked off with the start of summer in June. She says the classes are slowly catching on.

Participating in aqua aerobics is also relatively inexpensive. The only equipment a person needs to participate is a swimsuit and towel, but Dr. Rolle said participants can wear whatever they feel comfortable in.

“Whatever you exercise in on land you can come in. Whatever you feel comfortable in the water with, that’s what you wear,” she said.

Classes are also reasonably priced. When attendees purchase blocks of eight or more sessions, the rate for each class is reduced to $15. When purchased individually, the hour-long classes are $20 each.

Petti is now able to engage in both “dry” and water-based exercise and is currently in a program in which both forms of exercise are incorporated, with her diving into the pool twice a week for aqua aerobics.