What exactly is treading water? Let me tell you what I do and please comment as to whether you think this is correct?

In deep water, I basically just keep moving in place at a steady, active pace - legs kicking, arms moving back and forth in wide sweeping movements just below the surface of the water.

I ask because according to the calorie burn calculators that I've seen, treading water burns more calories than water aerobics. I have a strong dislike of group athletic activity so would far prefer to tread water on my own if it will burn more calories.

Am I the only one who doesn't have a clue about this? lol

Yep, keeping yourself from sinking by moving rather than just floating.

Your technique sounds perfect but sadly, people with a bit of extra fat float more easily than those who don't and therefore don't have to work so hard to keep their head out of water. I'd be careful of those calorie burn numbers. The exercise itself is great for you though, as is just walking in the water (try chest-deep).

I once impressed the heck out of a stick-thin coworker. We were at a seminar together and swimming in the hotel pool after classes. She was astonished at how I made treading water look "effortless."

I basked in the compliment for a while, but did eventually fill her in, that the "secret" was body fat - that I couldn't have sunk if my life had depended on it (which luckily of course, never happens. It's floating, not sinking that your life depends upon in the water).

I do tread water for exercise, but I have to consciously remember to move my arms and legs as if I DID need those movements to stay afloat.

I also use water weights. I swim at a local warm water therapy pool and they have water weights and resistance paddles available. The resistance paddles have holes in the paddle that can be closed with a lever. In the open position, they create light resistance, and in the closed position, they create heavier resistance.

Thanks for your responses! When I tread, I consciously do so for exercise. I kick strongly and can really feel the movement and drag of the water in my arm muscles. Kaplods, thanks for the suggestion about the weights and resistance paddles. I swim in a similar pool - great for arthritic joints!

Be just a little bit careful with paddles though you can really tear up your shoulder and pull a muscle if you're pulling with them too hard and your body isn't used to it.

In the long run treading water isn't going to burn a ton of calories, but it's definately better then not being active. Swimming will burn more though. If your not comfortable in a fitness class don't force yourself to. You're more likely to keep active if your doing things you enjoy.