AQUAJOGGING

(translated from Finnish)

 

People are traditionally already used to moving in the water when they swim. And swimming is an excellent form to get in shape and a nice hobby too. But only few people are real good swimmers. Therefore there is now an alternative to swimming: aquajogging.

Aquajogging originally comes from America, but now it is conquering the rest of the world. It started out as exercise for pre- and post-surgery patients and for athletes at the top. Aquajogging is like running or walking on the land, except that you are in the water [up to] your shoulders. Therefore it is easy for everybody.

To start aquajogging you need a special kind of  water belt, which will help you to float better. The aquajogging belt helps you to stay in a straight position in the water, and the belt supports you on the surface of the water. Additional aquajogging products can be special swimming gloves and shoes.

 

Aquajogging World Championships

The Aquajogging World Championships [in Finland] are a completely new kind of competition. 2004 was the first year that these championships were held.

Naturally there are some rules in these aquajogging competitions. For example, the legs are not allowed to reach the ground and it is also not allowed to swim.

The father of the Aquajogging World Championships is General Manager Heikki Puhakka from Petäjävesi. He noticed the possibilities of aquajogging and -walking as a new form of exercise. Although in the beginning he started aquajogging to improve his fitness and well-being, now Puhakka even meets his business partners when aquajogging!

"Running or walking in the water is noticeably more strenuous than on the land. This is only one reason that it is so great that a new form of exercise in the water has been found now!" 

 

Source: http://www.vesijuoksu.fi/english.htm (See pictures there too!)