You may know that pool exercising can give you a great workout, but did you know there are so many other options than just swimming? The buoyancy of the water can help ease the pressure put on joints and muscles allowing you to complete so many exercises you may not be able to do outside the pool. These exercises can give you a great cardio and strength workout while keeping you cool in the refreshing water.
If you are considering pool exercises you should seek out a pool where the water is at waist or chest level. Some workout equipment you may want to consider include a styrofoam noodle, styrofoam weights, webbed water gloves, an inflated ball, or kickboards. All of these items can assist you during your workout or make them a bit more challenging.
Check out some of our favourite pool exercises below.
Walk or Jog
This cardio exercise is sure to be excellent for your heart health and there are plenty of options. Get your heart rate up by walking backwards then forwards from wall to wall. If this exercise is a bit too easy for you, like if you have a short length pool, up the intensity by jogging in place as fast as you can. This can be great for your heart health giving you your cardio workout. The additional benefit of working out in the pool is the added resistance which can provide strength training.
Lunges
This is a fun exercise you may already be familiar with! The benefits of doing this exercise in the pool are the decreased impact on the joints, but the slight resistance you can feel in the water. Begin with your feet together and extending one leg out in front of you, bending both knees at 90 degrees, or as low as you can without submerging your head in water! Be sure to not let your front knee go past your toes. Then after holding that position for a few seconds, switch to the other foot. Do this move as 3 reps per set and 10 sets.
Flutter Kicks
This one you may recognize from little ones learning to swim, but it can actually be a great exercise for us adults! Holding onto the edge of the pool and floating on your stomach, kick your legs behind you quickly. Try to keep them straight and see how long you can keep going. Continue to challenge yourself by adding 30 seconds or a minute every time you attempt the exercise.
Whirlpools
Plant your feet shoulder-width apart with your knees slightly bent. Using your webbed gloves or water weights, extend your arms out straight and twist your body at the hips. Swinging your arms around you. You should feel resistance from the water, with a bit more from the gloves or weights.
One Legged Balance
Start with both feet flat on the pool floor. Balance on one foot extending your other leg out in front of you, as straight as you can, and then with that same leg and without touching the floor extend it straight behind you. Repeat the move 3 times and then switch legs. You will find your balance improving as well as a bit of an ab workout!
As you can see there are tons of fun ways to work out in your pool. These are just a few options to get you started! Start with the basic moves and begin to make them more challenging by incorporating some of the pool accessories, practicing the moves longer, or performing them at a faster rate. Continue to explore and learn about the many ways to exercise in your pool, you may never want to leave!