Swimming Pool Exercises

You should always check with your doctor before working out or starting a new fitness program, but once you have the all-clear, these exercises can be greatly beneficial.

Water Aerobics

Water aerobics can help you improve your cardiovascular health as well as strengthen your muscles. According to swimming.org, there are a number of benefits to water aerobics:

• Water supports the body, putting less stress on your joints and muscles.
• Working out in water helps build strength. Fighting against the push of the water activates your muscles.
• Water pressure helps put less strain on the heart by moving blood throughout the body.
• The impact of gravity is less in the water, allowing a greater range of motion.
• Working out in water helps prevent overheating, helping you exercise for longer.

You don’t need any special equipment (besides a swimming pool, of course!) to enjoy water aerobics. Just jump in and start moving.

Resistance Training

The benefits of resistance training include improved core strength, improved mobility, and an increase in lean body mass. In addition, because water supports your body as you exercise, it makes it easier to improve joint strength and flexibility without experiencing pain or causing injury. You can use the water alone for resistance by doing exercises with your arms and legs under water, or you can lift weights in the water for added resistance.

Water Yoga/Pool Yoga

Doing yoga in the pool can help you improve your flexibility and strength while minimizing joint pain. Pool yoga is often recommended for pregnant women, especially during the third trimester. Many of the poses you would do in a typical yoga class can be adapted for pool yoga. Whether you do a full pool yoga workout or incorporate yoga poses into your water aerobics cooldown, you’ll quickly realize the benefits of accomplishing these poses in the pool.

Pool Walking and Jogging

Walking in the pool provides added resistance to an already-effective exercise. Not only will your legs benefit but your abs will to. And if you love to run but find that your knees, hips, or ankles don’t love you for doing it, pool jogging can give you added resistance for a better workout plus support for your joints, to prevent pain and injury while you jog.

If you have a swimming pool (or have safe access to a public pool), these exercises can help you get and stay in shape with less wear and tear on your joints and spine. It doesn’t take a lot of equipment to get started, although pool shoes can be a good idea for better grip.

Do you have favorite swimming pool exercises to share? Let us know in the comments below!

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Perimeter Duty

During the winter months, you can’t simply ignore the fact that you have a pool. If you have not signed up for our Winter Watch Service, you’ll need to be sure you step outside on a regular basis to inspect your pool and the surrounding area, ensuring that everything still looks good. Walk around the pool area and make sure that the cover is still secure, that the fence is closed and locked, and that there is no evidence of damage (burst pipes, torn cover, etc.) that you need to deal with now.

Take a Peek Under the Cover

Look under your cover or through your mesh cover and make sure your pool appears in good health. Your pool should still be holding water and that water shouldn’t be too high or too low – or growing algae. There should be minimal debris in the pool.

Check the Equipment

Take a quick look at your equipment. Does anything look damaged or broken? Does your pump look okay? Are there leaks that concern you?

Get Repairs and Upgrades Now

Do you have pool equipment you know wasn’t functioning properly last spring, or is there anything you’re worried about now? It’s better to schedule repairs before pool techs get busy with spring openings. The last thing you want to do is lose pool time to down time. Schedule repairs and upgrades now.

Schedule Your Pool Opening

During this time of season when the weather is unpredictable, scheduling your pool opening now ensures that you get a spot on the calendar that works for you. While our technicians are there making winter repairs, go ahead and nail down a time for them to return to open your pool.

A quick inspection of your pool now could save you time and money later. Use these swimming pool tips to be ready for swim season when it finally arrives. Contact your swimming pool repair company if you see any damages. And remember, Hastings Water Works is your go-to source for professional pool services. We service pools in Northeast Ohio year-round.

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Give Some Love to the Planet

Solar Pool Cover

We can all do a little more to save the planet, and pool owners can do their part by switching to a solar pool cover for the summer months. These covers convert energy from the sun to help heat the pool, offsetting the cost of using a heater.

LED Lighting

Another way to save energy and improve the look of your pool is through the use of LED lighting. Not only do LED lights come in great colors to make night swimming more fun but they use about 80% less electricity than regular lights.

Update Your Back Yard

One of the best ways you can protect your pool is to remove shrubs, trees, and other foliage from your back yard that do the most damage. We’re not recommending that you take it all away but trimming back some branches here and there can make a difference.

Invest in Repairs Now

Before your pool opens in the spring, it’s a good time to have our technicians come out and make sure everything is working properly. Imagine how sad you and your kids will be if swimming weather comes and you’re stuck waiting for repairs to be done before you can enjoy your pool. Call now to schedule your pool repairs and maintenance.

Plan More Parties

It’s a great time to start planning social events for the late spring and summer than can center on your pool. What’s the point of having it if you don’t get to spend time in it and share it with friends and family?

Schedule Your Pool Opening

The schedule fills up fast when the weather warms up. It may not seem like we’re that close to spring yet, but it’s just around the corner. Be thinking about when you want to have your pool opened and give us a call to get on the schedule for your pool opening. It’s a great time to set up your pool maintenance services, too, so that you can pick the time and day that works best for you.

There may still be a few more months of winter to go, but these New Year’s resolutions for pool owners will have you ready for spring the minute the sunshine kisses your shoulders.

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Winter Pool Closing

There are a number of tasks our technicians will perform in closing your pool for the winter:

• Vacuum, clean, and skim the pool
• Test water chemistry for chlorine, pH, total alkalinity, and calcium hardness for the off-season
• Add environmentally safe algae inhibitor
• Add sequestering agent to prevent staining
• Drain pool water to proper winter level
• Drain and seal all plumbing lines and equipment
• Add non-toxic, biodegradable, environmentally safe antifreeze to all plumbing lines
• Remove and store any equipment – ladders, handrails, etc.

The final step in closing your pool is to install and secure your winter cover.  We don’t recommend using your expensive automatic pool cover for the winter, as the wear and tear significantly shortens the usefulness and lifespan of that expensive accessory.  And an old, dirty tarp cover can be a death trap for pets and animals. Tarp covers can also slip into the pool water itself, dumping hundreds of gallons of dirty, debris-filled water into the clean pool water.

New or Replacement Winter Mesh Safety Covers

Now is the time to consider a new winter mesh safety cover.  A mesh safety cover is a tightly woven, lightweight, long-lasting material that allows snow to melt through while keeping out leaves and other debris. There are two big advantages of the mesh pool cover. Firstly, the mesh safety cover is exactly as the name implies – safe – as several adults can walk on the trampoline-like surface (although we don’t recommend you do so) and only get wet to the knees as it dips into the cold water, thereby ensuring that you won’t be trapped.  Secondly, the aesthetics of the tarp are pleasing, offering a clean, debris-free look to your winterized pool.  Leaves and small twigs simply blow off with the next windy day, and you don’t have to put up with a swampy tarp or concrete blocks that hold down that old tarp cover.

Pool Painting After Closing Your Pool

Giving your pool a fresh coat of paint can happen because you want yet another way to improve the aesthetics of your pool area or it can be a practical way to extend the life of your pool.  Pool, fountain, and deck paints come in a variety of colors and can breathe new life into your concrete or fiberglass pool.  Most pool paints can also be used on gunite and plastered pools.

Tile Work

You go to the dentist every six months for a cleaning, but you’re also there so that they can inspect your teeth and repair any damage to the enamel before it can erode away, eventually causing problems larger than a simple cavity. Repairing tile is a lot like filling a cavity before you need a root canal – it prevents damage from getting worse, keeps your pool from eroding away, and is far more cost effective than replacing an entire pool shell. Hastings Water Works can help you protect your pool investment by making small repairs during the off-season that will give your pool a longer life.

Replacement Vinyl Liner

One of the toughest decisions for a pool owner is knowing the best time to replace the vinyl liner, but since the vinyl liner is the only waterproofing pool owners have, it’s something that should be taken seriously. Unfortunately, many homeowners wait too long to make the call, trying to stretch the liner lifespan one more season. They end up missing out on much of an already-too-short summer season, waiting for a last-minute liner replacement when pool service companies are at their busiest time of year.

New Pool Heater

Replacing your pool heater and other equipment during the winter can ensure that you’re up and running as soon as the weather is warm enough to reopen your pool.  With time for any pool repairs at a premium during the spring, replacing a heater that is more than 10 years old should be done over the winter months when you can get your best pricing.

We’ll all be singing the winter blues fairly soon. So, make the most of your off-season to get the repairs and upgrades your pool needs to make next season even better. Schedule your services today.

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1 – Skipping winter pool service – It may be a snowy March in Ohio, but your pool still needs some love and attention. Pool owners often assume that because it’s not sweltering outside, their pool will be just fine. A pool maintenance professional can keep an eye on your equipment and pool lining to prevent long-term damage, saving you from stress and added expense in the spring.

2 – Playing chemist – Maintaining the perfect chemical balance in your pool is a science, and if you aren’t well-versed in the art of pool chemistry, you could cause physical damage to your pool and damage to your health. It may sound like a good idea to dump any preventative-algae chemical into your water, especially for the winter, but each pool demands a unique balance. Your pool tech can give you the best information that will keep your water at the perfect pH levels and your pool in good condition

3 – Draining the pool – You should never completely drain your pool, even in the winter. It’s a waste of water and it’s a lot of work. Your pool tech can tell you how high your water should be, depending on the season and whether you have a cover in place. If you need winterization tips, let your pool maintenance team know.

4 – Ignoring safety precautions – Preventative measures, such as a fence and a pool cover, are critical whether you’re using the pool or not. No matter the season, animals and children are known to wander, and the pool is an attractive venue. Don’t neglect to put up a fence (check your local guidelines), and your pool tech can help you pick the right pool cover for your needs.

Your pool is a huge investment and your pool tech wants to help. For your pool to be ready for action, monthly attention is required, and neglecting your pool for even a short period of time can have long-term consequences. It’s never too late to get the right pool treatment, no matter what time of year it is.

Learn more about Hastings Water Works winter services.

Photo credit: “Un plongeon ?” (CC BY 2.0) by Pierre__Arnaud

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1. Frozen Yogurt Bites

These are a hit with kids and adults alike. This recipe uses blueberries, but any fruit could be paired with your favorite flavor of yogurt for a cool treat. Sit a bowl on ice next to your glimmering pool and your guests will have a way to beat the heat in and out of the water.

2. Easy BLT Dip

You can’t have an end of summer pool party without a dip, and this delicious recipe goes beyond your casual chip dip. Why? Because it has bacon. And bacon makes everything better. The best part is that it requires only a few ingredients and very little of your time, which means more precious moments to enjoy relaxing by your pool.

3. Apple Nachos

Not all nachos are created equal. These apple nachos add a sweet twist to a popular concept. The toppings are up to you, with limitless possibilities. Add a little caramel here, a bit of chocolate drizzle there. Sprinkle some marshmallows if you feel like it or add melted peanut butter. Apple nachos even sound healthy, even if they aren’t.

4. Avocado Tomatillo Salsa

Every pool party needs some salsa, but why would you make salsa for this last amazing party, using only traditional ingredients? Take a walk on the wild side with this incredible recipe. Tomatillos are a main ingredient in salsa verde, and if you’re unfamiliar with this variety of salsa, then you’re missing out on a treat. Toss in avocados and other spices and you’ve got a winning pool snack.

5. Wine Marinated Frozen Grapes

For those at your party who are age 21 and over, they’ll love this refreshing snack, and you’ll love how easy it is. Soak grapes in your favorite wine and freeze. It’s really that simple and even more enjoyable. If you’re feeling exceptionally fancy, these frozen wine grapes can also be added to any sangria recipe for a chilly poolside cocktail.

The end of summer may be near but don’t be sad! Take advantage of the heat wave to host one last pool party. Great memories are guaranteed with these poolside snacks, and you’ll never regret hosting one last event before you have to prep for the winter. You can enjoy the leftover frozen wine grapes (if there are any) while we handle the pool closing.

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1. Grab some shade – One of the simpler ways to cool down your pool is to get some natural shade going, but this method initially takes a bit of work. You should aim for protecting against the west side with a row of planted trees, being mindful of your tree choice. Deciduous trees will have you skimming the pool regularly when the leaves begin to fall. Don’t get too excited with your landscaping, though. Too much foliage surrounding your pool will restrict air movement and heat your entire pool area.
2. Apply science – Fountains and waterfalls cause evaporation, which then cools the pool water. This does result in some water loss and your pool will need refilled more frequently. It’s recommended that you run fountains or waterfalls at night instead of during the day, when air is cooler and you’re less likely to lose as much water.
3. When science fails, use technology – If you don’t want to add a waterfall or fountain, you can also purchase an evaporative cooler that does the same job. They are relatively inexpensive and can drop the temperature five to ten degrees, depending on pool size and air temperature.
4. Flip it and reverse it – This is admittedly an expensive option, but a reversible heat pump works. This piece of equipment doubles as a heater during winter months and a cooler during the summer months. If you have an inground pool, it may be worth the investment.
5. Filter in the moonlight – If you’re not in the mood to add any extras, consider simple steps like running your filter at night and using a pool cover on the hot days when the pool is not in use.

And just in case you’re considering it, we don’t recommend trying to add ice. You’d only be wasting what could be needed instead for a great poolside beverage. As well, it would take thousands of pounds of ice to drop a pool temperature even a few degrees, so although it sounds like a good idea, it’s not worth the effort. These pool-cooling tips will provide relief now and on future pool days.

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