I am a 24 year old female and am 5'7 and 150 lbs. I am trying to lose a bit of weight and have recently started going to aquasize 2-3 times a week. I am a fairly active person and on the days I dont go to aquasize I try to ride my stationairy bike. I was wondering if you could tell me if aquasize is an effective form of exercise for weightloss and muscle toning as that is primarily what I am interested in.

Thanks!

Okay....I'm guessing you want to lose about 10-15lbs???? You can easily achieve that in about 4-5 weeks....especially seeing that you're only 24 yrs old : ) !!!

Aquacise is fine...as long as it is a challenge for you....In order for you to burn the optimum amount of calories you should be working out ( at the high end of workout) at least 65-75% your maximum heart rate....Your max. heart rate in 220 minus your age...so yours is 196 beats per minute....yeah..it' up there!!! I workout at 95 % my maximum heart rate....( at the high end)...so basically you don't want to go through the motions....it has to be a challenge...and You want to change your cardio routine every 24 days....always be trying something new!

Make sure you watch your caloric intake too.....at your current weight and workout schedule you should be taking it about 1900 calories a day in order to lose about 1 -2 lbs a week....If you don't want to lose a lb....you could take in 2700 calories a day....and you'd plateau...and remain the same weight.

You should be working out almost every day.....the American Council of Exercise and the national college of sports medicine both recommend 30 minutes a day of high intensity and 30 minutes of low intensity Every day!!!
I workout 7-9 hours a week.....4-5 hours of high intensity....2 hours of muscle training....another hour of leisure activity..riding a bike, walking the dog etc etc ....

The key to a successful fit lifestyle is keep it fresh.....and continue to challenge yourself.

You don't have a lot to lose at all....and you're young...so you'll get results very quickly!!

Let me know how you make out
I hope I helped you out!!!
CheryL : )

__________________
Cheryl Greenfield

Former National Fitness Competitor & Finalist
AFAA Certified Personal Trainer & Aerobics Instructor
Fitness Choreographer and Consultant

http://www.exerciseforums.com