When it’s boiling out but you want to stay healthy, there are tons of ways to exercise in the pool. You might as well cool off while you’re working up a sweat. Just make sure to have a water bottle nearby so you don’t get dehydrated. Now put on that bathing suit and try out these different ways to exercise in the pool!
Do you have an inner tube floating around? Using pool toys as workout equipment is one of the ways to exercise in the pool. Just stick your legs inside of the tube and keep your arms rested on the top of it. Keep your legs straight and use your stomach and thigh muscles to spin yourself round and round. You might get dizzy, so close your eyes!
You’ve all played the lava game where you're not allowed to let your feet touch the ground. Now play that same game, but in the water. Of course, in this version your arms aren’t allowed to touch anything either. Grabbing a float or the side of the pool is considered cheating. The goal is to use your muscles to stay afloat. Don’t push yourself too hard. The water can be dangerous, so don’t risk drowning because you want a stronger body.
If your pool ladder has high, sturdy railings, use them to strengthen your arms. Sit on one of the steps and grasp the part of the railing that’s directly above you. Lift yourself up, extending your feet straight out, and hold for as long as you can. Just make sure that your hands aren’t too wet and slippery. You don’t want to injure yourself.
Don’t be tricked into thinking that pool noodles are useless. Grab one and hold it out in front of you. Push down on it until your body forms a diagonal line with your toes touching the bottom. This exercise is meant to imitate planks, but it’s easier to perform them in water than on land. You should be able to hold the position for much longer than you’re used to.
Everything’s more fun when your friends are around. If you’re not the only one in the pool, you can exercise by playing a group sport. There are volleyball nets and floating basketball hoops you can buy. If you don’t want to waste money, you can still toss a ball back and forth or have swimming races. Even creating a simple whirlpool or jumping off of a diving board will help by keeping you moving.
Go grab a beach ball. When you have it, submerge it in the water and hold it in front of your navel. Now simply run around the pool. The extra weight from the ball will make movement difficult. Do a few laps around the pool before you move on to your next exercise.
I hope you didn’t put that noodle away! Straddle it like a horse and peddle your legs like you’re on a bicycle. It will propel you across the pool and make your muscles move. It sounds like a piece of cake, but it’ll feel difficult after a few minutes. So why not give it a try?
Try out these simple exercises the next time you hop in the pool. Have you ever tried working out in the water? What’s your favorite exercise?