Exercise with a Little Splash!
Author: Shannon Miller
It may be the end of summer but in most places the temperature remains scorching.
What better time to get in some aquatic exercising than now?
Not only does exercising in water allow you to stay cool (because you’re in water!), but it also gives your joints a break. When you engage in aquatic exercise and the water comes up to your neck, your joints are only supporting about 10% of your body weight.
Check out these aquatic exercises that will help to strengthen the muscles in your legs, hips, abdomen, and buttocks:
- Move your right foot out in front of you, keeping your knee straight and toes up.
Hold and then return to starting position.
Repeat and then do the same exercise with the left foot.
- Pull one knee in front of you and then extend the foot forward so your knee is straight.
Bend the knee back down and return to the starting position.
Repeat with the other leg.
- Hold onto the side of the pool.
Raise your toes up and hold.
Put your toes down and raise up your heels and hold.
- Stand in the corner of the pool with your arms out at shoulder height to support you.
Bend your knees and pull both legs up in front of you.
Hold and then put your feet back down and repeat.
- In shallow water, stand with your feet about 6-8 inches from the wall of the pool and your back to the wall.
Slide your back down along the wall of the pool as bend your knees.
- And, of course, swimming laps is a great workout for your entire body!
TIP: Make the most of your summer – add a little “splish-splash” to your exercise routine!
Source: “Aquatic Exercises: Lower Body Strengthening.” Ohio State University Medical Center PDF.