30 Sep Swimming Pool Exercises

At Phelps LaClair, we know that estate planning is all about protecting your assets. And your greatest asset is your health! We also know that regular exercise leads to a longer, healthier life, so we encourage our clients (and everyone else for that matter) to find a way to work out that they really enjoy. In a hot climate like Phoenix, swimming can be a perfect way to exercise and stay cool at the same time. Here are some of the best swimming exercises that can help you get (and stay) in shape.

1. Walking in water

Everybody knows that walking is great exercise. Walking in water is even better! Water has 12 times the resistance of air, so every step you take in the pool will make your leg muscles work that much harder. One of the benefits of water exercise is its low impact on your joints. Staying in the shallow end of the pool where the water is mid-chest level provides excellent resistance and is not threatening if you don’t swim well. Twenty minutes of water walking will leave you feeling both stimulated and refreshed, so give it a try next time you visit the pool.

2. Working the shoulders and arms

This exercise builds on the foundation of walking. While you walk, incorporate a breaststroke movement with your arms. It feels like you are sweeping vines away with your arms while walking through a jungle. This is guaranteed to strengthen shoulder and upper arm muscles.

3. Side burpees

If you want to strengthen your abs, hips and obliques, this is the pool exercise for you. In the deep end, hold on to the edge of the pool with your right hand so that your body is perpendicular to the edge. Bring your knees up to your chest to place both feet flat against the side of the pool as high as possible. Your feet should be stacked vertically as if you are lying on your side. While continuing to hold on to the side, push your feet off the wall and extend your legs and engage your abs to bring your body parallel to the surface in a side-plank position. Return to the tuck position and continue the exercise for 1 minute. Switch sides and repeat for 1 minute.

4. Seahorse

In this exercise, you straddle a pool noodle like you are riding a horse. The noodle (or two) will keep your head above water. Extend your arms and do a breaststroke motion across the pool. When you reach the other side, stay facing the same direction, but switch your stroke so you are now propelling yourself backwards. Doing this exercise for several minutes will work your back, shoulders, arms and abs.

5. Treading water

This is one of the first things we learn to do when we learn to swim. It requires constant motion of the arms and legs to stay afloat, which makes it an easy, but strenuous exercise. You should be able to tread water for one minute. If you are unsure of your swimming skill, stay in the shallow end where you can stand up with just your head above water.

These are some of the best swimming exercises for working all of the major muscle groups in your body. You will enjoy immediate benefits no matter how fit you are when you begin. And the longer you do it, the healthier you will become. Phelps LaClair, serving the Phoenix Valley, has many options for your financial health, too. Call us for all of your estate planning needs; your first consultation with us is free. It’s the best time of year to stay fit and stay cool.

Images used under creative commons license (Commerical Use) 09/29/19  Photo by Conner Baker on Unsplash