Your pool already turns your backyard into an oasis where you enjoy countless hours of mental and physical relaxation, gatherings of family and friends, private romantic evening swims, sunset reflections on your patio, and quiet relaxing mornings poolside; but, did you know, that your pool can also serve as a place for you to work out? There are many benefits to working out in water. This summer you can turn your pool into your private gym.
Understanding the Benefits of Working Out in Water
Your pool likely serves many purposes, and with the unpredictable Northeast Ohio and Erie, PA weather, when it is pool season, we embrace it as much as we can. You can add exercising to your list of the many things a pool can provide for you and your family.
In water, there is almost no gravity. You’re relieved of 90 percent of your body weight, so you become buoyant. This frees you to move in new ways. You can float, bob and relax without feeling like you’re putting out an effort. Water provides 12% to 14% more resistance than air, so moving through it is like having weights all around your body (WebMD).
Working out in a pool offers countless benefits, as the water provides resistance with less stress to your joints than most above ground exercising methods. Water exercises can be tailored to match your abilities; everyone from athletes to seniors can reap the benefits of working out in water.
Water workouts are a great way to gain cardiovascular stamina, improve strength and flexibility, enhance body contours, increase circulation, rehabilitate healing muscles, and control weight. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, low-impact pool workouts make it possible for people who are dealing with a chronic disease, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, to exercise and improve their joint range of motion without worsening the symptoms.
Common Pool Exercises
As we reviewed above, there are benefits to working out in water. We have provided some common pool exercises below, to help you get started:
- Walking in the water: This is perhaps the easiest pool exercise you can do. It’s as simple as it sounds; walk around your pool, while engaging your core, with your arms at your side. Walking in water can target your arms, core, and lower body. With vertical water workouts, you experience 75% greater resistance than when you’re swimming horizontally.
- Arm lifts: This exercise helps to strengthen the muscles in your arms. To add additional resistance and intensify your workout, you can add a swim noodle or water weights into your routine. Stand in shoulder height water, keep your elbows close to your torso, lift your forearms to the height of the water, and lower your arms back down.
- Jumping jacks: Take yourself back to gym class, and embrace the basics. Jumping jacks in water are a great way to work out; they work the muscles in both your upper and lower body. Start with your legs together, jump out and back.
- Swimming laps: Let’s not forget one of the main reasons you have a pool in the first place, to swim. Swimming laps is good for a full body workout. Try to use different strokes to vary the muscles you work.
There are many different types of exercises you can do in your pool to enjoy the benefits of working out in water. You should choose a routine that is best for you.
It’s Pool Time
In Northeast Ohio and Erie, PA, when we can be outside and poolside, we should be. Litehouse Pools & Spas is here to help with all of your outdoor and swimming pool needs. From pool installation, pool supplies, to service; we are here for you.
Come see us at Litehouse today and look forward to a full season of swimming enjoyment and gaining the benefits of working out in the water.