For most people, buying a new swimming pool is the result of a desire to add some much-needed leisure to their lives, but here at Sunset Pools & Spas, we often tell our customers that pools aren’t just for laying back and relaxing outside under the glow of the sun. They also can be terrific home exercise tools, helping pool owners to burn fat, stay toned, and lose weight through the practice of some really simple pool exercises.
The following are five of our favorite easy pool exercises, all of which are possible in the comfort of your very own backyard:
Water Running (or Walking)
If you ever have tried to walk or run laps around your pool, you know how much resistance the water can provide. This is a high-intensity cardio workout when done correctly, but it’s also low-impact because it takes all of the weight off of your knees, hips, and ankles. Some people call this “aqua jogging,” but the idea is the same. You can burn a lot of calories in your pool with this water workout just by walking or jogging in your pool.
Bicycle Kicks
There are a couple of ways to do bicycle kick exercises in the pool. The first involves resting your arms on the side of the pool behind you and using your legs to keep your body afloat through circular kicks in the motion of riding a bicycle. You also can turn a pool noodle into a crucial piece of pool exercise equipment by straddling the noodle, arms to your side, and bicycle kicking that way
Core Toners
If you want to work on your leg and core muscles, consider this exercise, which has you place your back flat against the pool wall, your arms extended backwards holding the edge of the pool. Then, you lift your straight legs in front of you, open them into a “V” and close them again. Repeat this as many times as your legs will allow, but try to complete them in sets of 20. Your legs and abs will thank you!
Water Crunches
Another great ab exercise is the pool equivalent of a sit-up. Drape your knees over the edge of the pool as you float on your back in the water, then try to pull your upper body as far out of the water as you can. Give yourself extra resistance by lowering yourself slowly back into the water. Repeat these in sets of 20, as well.
Swim Laps
Depending on the size of your pool, just swimming continuously for any period of time will burn calories, get your heart rate up, and really work the muscles in your arms. It won’t take long for this simple workout to wear you down, but if you’ve got that pool in your backyard, why not use it to tone up a little bit this summer? Swimming laps is one of the easiest ways to do that.
Here at Sunset Pools & Spas, we can help you get the pool of your dreams, not just for soaking in the sun but for staying fit. These swimming pool exercises can help a lot with that and hopefully keep you happy, healthy, and feeling great all summer long!