2. Water buoyancy protects your joints and provides support

Water workouts are popular with all age groups. They're especially helpful for anyone recovering from surgery or an injury. The pool offers a safe spot to keep moving — just pick your favorite aerobic activity, or join a class. Heated pools are a plus: They'll help warm up your joints and muscles quickly.

People with chronic illnesses and those with joint problems may really benefit from time in the pool, too. Research has shown that joint-friendly aquatic exercise can improve physical functioning in adults over 50.

Common water aerobic exercises include:

• Running or jogging. Great for cardiovascular fitness, as well as easing back into a running program after an injury.
• Water walking. Typically done in waist-deep water, swinging your arms at your sides just as you do when you walk on land.
• Aerobics classes. Offer a mix of exercises such as leg lifts, kickboarding, lunges and jumping jacks.