Splashing around, having fun, and staying cool are great reasons to have a backyard pool, but swimming pool exercises can also be a great workout. Water resistance can make any workout more effective while also providing cushion for sore joints. Working out in your swimming pool can improve your flexibility, strengthen your core, help you lose weight, and safely aid in the recovery of injuries.
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!