When Janet moved to Old Main Village, a community managed by The Goodman Group, she had one must-have feature on her list, a pool. 

She knew the water was where she felt her best. "I picked Old Main because I heard there was a pool," Janet shares. "I had been doing pool exercises in St. Peter before I moved here."

For Janet and countless other seniors, water exercise offers the ability to stay active while giving joints a much-needed break.

Why Water Works Wonders

When you step into a pool, something remarkable happens to your body. The water's buoyancy supports up to 90% of your body weight, instantly reducing pressure on joints, hips and knees. This makes pool exercise particularly valuable for seniors managing arthritis or recovering from injury.

The warm pool water relaxes muscles and nerve endings, while the water's natural resistance builds strength without the jarring impact of traditional exercise.

What makes aquatic therapy particularly appealing is its dual benefit for fall prevention. It effectively prevents falls in older adults by improving balance, lower limb muscle strength and gait stability. 

Seniors can practice balance exercises safely in the water, using the pool's edge for support while building the core strength needed for stability on land.

More Than Just Exercise

Janet found another benefit at Old Main Village. The team members who make it all possible. "The staff is probably the strength of Old Main Village," she says. "They are all really dedicated."

This dedicated support matters because staying consistent with any exercise program needs more than just access to a pool. It needs encouragement, proper instruction and a community that values your wellness path. Having team members who understand aquatic exercise and your skill level helps get the most from workouts.

Water exercise also offers cognitive benefits. The combination of physical movement and the meditative qualities of water appears to contribute to brain health in meaningful ways.

What to Look for in Senior Community Pools

If you're thinking about a senior living community and value staying active through water exercise, here are some questions worth asking:

What is the pool temperature? Most therapeutic pools maintain temperatures between 82-86 degrees Fahrenheit, warm enough to relax muscles but cool enough for comfortable movement.

How accessible is the pool? Look for communities with gradual entry steps, handrails and pool lifts that make getting in and out of the water safe and manageable. Janet noted that Old Main Village's accessibility features made continuing her exercise routine seamless.

Are there scheduled classes? Regular water aerobics or aquatic therapy sessions help you stay on pace and connect with other residents who share your wellness goals. Group classes also mean trained team members are present to guide exercises and keep you safe.

Does the pool offer depth options? Pools with both shallow and deeper sections allow for varied exercises, from walking and standing movements to more advanced swimming strokes.

Building Your Water Exercise Routine

Water exercise can include many different movements, from just walking in the shallow end to more structured routines. Many seniors benefit from exercises that focus on:

• Leg lifts and flutter kicks to build lower body strength
• Arm circles and water resistance movements to maintain upper body strength
• Walking or jogging in place for cardiovascular health
• Balance exercises using the pool edge to improve stability

If you're new to fitness or maintaining an established routine like Janet, the pool provides a safe environment to work at your own pace. Water allows you to exercise more often because your body doesn't need as long to recover compared to high-impact activities.

Planning for Your Future

Janet made another smart decision when choosing Old Main Village. "A place where I can have independent living, eventually assisted living, and I knew that," she explains. She chose a community that could grow with her needs.

For seniors like Janet, the pool represents a place to be independent, build strength and feel her best. Combined with supportive team members and a community designed around resident wellness, water exercise becomes a great way to age actively.