So how’s your summer shape-up program going? What’s that?
It’s too hot to exercise, you say? Nice try, my friend. Trot on back
to your closet, slip into that Speedo, and meet me in the pool!
Ahhhhhhhhh,
doesn’t that water feel terrific? Well,
yes, but now what in the world do I do, you’re thinking quietly to
yourself. Heck, anything you can do on
land you can do in the water, and it will be a whole lot easier on your body in
the long run. For example, starting in
chest-deep water, simply walk and back forth across the pool. If your knees and ankles will tolerate it,
add jogging or leaping through the water.
You may even find you can do things in the pool that you aren’t able to
do on dry land. The beauty of pool
exercise is that the water provides enough buoyancy to take the pressure of
bouncing up and down off your back, hips, knees, and ankles. Professional athletes often begin
rehabilitation in the pool after being injured.
And what could be a better addition to your workout regime this time of
year?
For
even more fun, the next time you’re at the drug store, pick up a couple of
those brightly colored Styrofoam noodles -- you know, the ones designed for
children. Some of them even have doggie
and horsey heads on them. (If you’re
working out in your own backyard pool, do whatever floats your boat. If you’re visiting a community pool, you
might want to rethink the animal heads.) Sit on one of those noodles long-ways, so the
ends are sticking out in front and back of you. Relax your legs and feet and propel yourself
across the pool using ONLY your arms.
Not easy, is it? Now, standing in
about chest-deep water, hold a noodle out in front of you with your hands shoulder-width
apart. Keeping your arms straight, pull
the noodle down through the water until it touches your thighs, then slowly let
it return to the surface. That’s not
easy either, is it? Keep moving for
another 30-60 minutes, and you’ll have completed a dandy aerobic workout AND
had a refreshing swim.
Here
are some additional tips: If the bottom
of your pool has a rough surface, slip on a pair of old sneakers to
protect your tender tootsies. And while
you’re inside getting those sneakers, grab a portable CD player and some jazzy
music and really get moving. In fact,
invite a few friends over -- the more the merrier! While you’re having all that fun, don’t forget
to apply sunscreen EVERYWHERE because the sun’s rays can penetrate even water. And finally, even though you may not be
perspiring, you will definitely be losing moisture, so keep a water bottle
close by and drink, drink, drink. Have
fun and stay cool!
