Enjoy the pool? Cool! No doubt, the pool is a great place to de-stress your life. But swimming—or aquatic exercise—also can give you a great, low- or no-impact workout.
A 1-hour aquatic workout can be a calorie burner: up to 400 to 700 calories, depending on the intensity. It’s great for strength training; the natural resistance of water exercise is twelve times that of moving in air. For cross training, frequent water exercise can help improve your walking, running, and spinning (pedaling). And many water activities improve both flexibility and range of motion.
If weight-bearing activities are painful or difficult for you, a water workout might be your answer. Because water supports your weight and reduces impact, aquatic exercise helps you strengthen and tone and improve your endurance without stressing your joints or back.
Ready to try? In the shallow water (chest or waist deep):
- Water walk. Stay erect, rather than leaning forward. Swing your arms and shoulders as you walk.
- Twist, with legs apart, feet flat, arms just above the water.
- Water dance. Hop, move your arms to the rhythm.
- Sign up for an aquatic exercise class. Check your community college or public pool for a class.
Post Views: 135