With the temperatures entering the 90s this weekend, it’s a great time to head to the community pool to relax and cool off. But the pool is also a great place for exercise in the summertime. Even just playing basketball and volleyball in the pool keeps you moving and burns calories. But there are more structured options for pool exercise as well:
-Lap Swimming: possibly the most obvious but also the most monotonous as well. You can mix up the routine with a kickboard, pull buoy, and fins, or try different swimming strokes depending on your swimming ability. An average 150 lb swimmer burns about 9-1/2 calories per minute–slightly less than running but more than cycling, and enough for a good cardiovascular workout.
-Water Aerobics – these classes incorporate cardio and strength training exercises into a workout that is much less boring than swimming laps. Oftentimes they also incorporate stretching routines which are essential for swimmers as well!
-Deep water running: For a non-impact alternative for jogging in the summer, try this. Head to the deep end of the pool, wearing a flotation belt, for a more intense water exercise workout. Use your ordinary upright running style. This is different, and more vigorous, than water aerobics exercises, which are generally done in the shallow end. Deep water running is good for rehab and for athletic training, as you can work hard with no impact.
Sometimes pool fun can be punctuated with periods of rest and recovery as we enjoy the sun a cool beverage(replenish what we sweat) and read a book.