Exercise Information

Great Summer Workouts: Just Add Water


With warm weather season now in full gear, exercisers want to take their workouts outside and breakout of their indoor fitness ruts. But, when temperatures reach record highs and humidity levels soar, traditional outdoor workouts become less appealing. So how can you stay cool while still enjoying outdoor physical activity? One word - water. Water exercises are the perfect way to workout under the sun without overheating. You can get a total body workout without even breaking a sweat!

And don't worry if you aren't a veteran swimmer. Aquatic workouts aren't limited to just swimming. There are many other forms of pool exercises. You don't even have to be a regular exerciser to try aquatic fitness. One of the great things about working out in the water is that even fitness novices can easily perform many of the moves.

It's also an excellent fitness choice for all ages, from the very young to seniors. Water exercise is a very good way to burn calories, improve your strength and flexibility, tone-up, improve your cardiovascular system, and just get more fit overall. And, the types of workouts are practically endless. Most land exercises can be modified and re-created in water. Other benefits include:

  • lower injury risk

  • less sweating

  • works your entire body

  • challenges your body in a very different way then it is accustom to

  • refreshing way to workout

  • water provides natural resistance so no equipment is needed

  • can increase/decrease intensity (difficulty) simply by alternating between shallow and deep areas

  • good low-impact exercise choice for pregnant women

  • reduces joint compression and downward gravity pull (in other words - easier on the joints)

  • even people who can't exercise on land can often exercise in the water

  • excellent rehabilitation exercise for people recovering from an injury

  • less stress on bones and muscles

  • great option for people with arthritis

Plus, water workouts also provide a fun and more socially interactive exercise option. For example, parents can enjoy time at the pool with their children while also fitting in some of their weekly workout sessions. Aquatic aerobic classes also provide a social, group-setting alternative.

Still not convinced that an aquatic workout will challenge your body as well as some of the more common workouts like walking or jogging. Well, try some of the sample exercise below and you'll probably quickly change your mind. But, don't judge the workout solely on how high your heart rate gets. Keep in mind that swimmers generate a slightly lower heart rate when compared to cyclists and runners. This does not imply that they aren't working as hard. Experts equate the lower heart rate partially to the effect of immersion in a relatively cool environment. So, keep this in mind when determining your target heart rate, which may be 10 beats per minute lower when in the water. Also, don't make the mistake of assuming you are well hydrated just because your body is submerged in water. You still need to drink about ˝ a cup of water about every 20 minutes of exercise.

Swim/Walk interval laps: Swim 1-2 laps (use any swim form you prefer: crawl, backstroke, etc). Walk 1-2 laps in the pool. Repeat sequence 4-6 times.

Water Squats: Stand in the water with feet about hip-width apart. Bend your knees slightly as you push your hips back as if you are sitting on a chair. Keep your knees behind your toes. Return to start position and repeat. The water provides extra resistance and makes this move more challenging.

Wave Jumps (for those with access to the ocean or a wave-simulator): Stand in knee-deep or less water. Each time a wave comes attempt to jump over it. Note: this is a more advanced move that requires good balance and strong swimming skills. Do not attempt this move unless you have experience swimming in waves.

Water Jogging: Can be done with the use of flotation devices where your feet don't touch the ground or the traditional way of actually jogging in the water.

For a more comprehensive list of water workouts and more detailed instructions for the above exercises, visit: http://www.workoutsforyou.com/water.htm

Remember, you should always consult your physician before trying any new exercise programs.

About The Author

Lynn Bode, author and certified personal trainer, offers her services online through WorkoutsForYou.com. Workouts For You provides affordable online exercise programs to help even the busiest of people lose weight, tone-up, build muscles, increase stamina and more via the Internet. Let us guide you one-on-one through your fitness journey with weekly customized workouts designed just for YOU! Visit: http://www.workoutsforyou.com for a free sample workout.

info@workoutsforyou.com


MORE RESOURCES:

That Happened!

Exercise your gym-membership options
Chicago Tribune, United States - 12 hours ago
There are other ways to get exercise. Kopf Hirsh says an exercise ball, a set of hand weights and a couple of exercise videos can do wonders for the ...
Local gyms offer deals to cash in on New Year’s resolutions Northern Virginia Daily
How do I find the best gym for me? San Diego Union Tribune
How to pick the right gym for you Glasgow Daily Record
Hattiesburg American - eFluxMedia
all 90 news articles


Bad, bad belly fat susceptible to exercise
Detroit Free Press, United States - 12 hours ago
And this is where recent research about exercise and belly fat comes in. A study reported this fall from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in ...


With the Right Motivation, That Home Gym Makes Sense
New York Times, United States - 15 hours ago
Do you have exercise equipment in your house that you don't use? Join the discussion. Today, my top-of-the-line exercise machine sits idle most of the time. ...
Want to Get Fit? Don't Buy Exercise Equipment... Male Pattern Fitness
all 5 news articles


Local exercise programs anything but routine
San Jose Mercury News,  USA - 13 hours ago
Each exercise is scaled to each individual, so newbies, veterans and everyone in between fits into the workout scene. 20s to their mid-60s. ...


Employer-Sponsored Workouts Boost Workers' Health
Washington Post, United States - 5 hours ago
Home Depot employees who participated in a company-sponsored program to support workers in setting exercise goals notably increased their levels of moderate ...
Goal-Setting Drills Make for More Active Coworkers Newswise (press release)
all 13 news articles


Times Online

US must exercise leverage on Israel
Danbury News Times, CT - 19 hours ago
We will not exercise the leverage on Israel necessary to achieve peace; we will continue to alienate Arabs in the street; we have bankrupted ourselves as an ...
Video: Notebook: Gaza CBS
An Endgame for Israel Wall Street Journal
Diplomats Converge on Israel in Push for Truce Washington Post
New York Daily News - Minneapolis Star Tribune
all 25,718 news articles


FLIR Systems Announces Exercise of Option Under $13.5 Million ...
CNNMoney.com - Jan 5, 2009
FLIR Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLIR) announced today that it has received notification from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) of its intent to exercise a ...


TRG Drivers Exercise KONI Porsches at Daytona
WhoWon.com, NE - 4 hours ago
by Kyle Chura, TRG Motorsports DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Three TRG KONI Sports Car Challenge cars took part in the Roar Before The 24 at the Daytona ...


Teach children an exercise in gratitude: Thank-you notes
Springfield News Sun, OH - 1 hour ago
By Darci Jordan SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — Call me old fashioned, or maybe I expect too much, but are thank you notes no longer a part of proper etiquette? ...


Don’t starve a cold of exercise
Atlanta Journal Constitution,  USA - Jan 5, 2009
Will exercise have no effect, or make you feel better or worse? It is a question, surprisingly enough, that stumps many exercise physiologists and ...

Exercise - Google News

home | site map
© 2006