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Exercises
Want a Safe and Effective Workout? Try Water Exercises!
Water exercises are a great way to workout. The water acts like a
cushion for joints, which makes these exercises ideal for arthritis
sufferers. And, the water provides a safe level of resistance for
the body.
Before beginning any water exercises, you need to warm up to avoid
injury. One good way to warm up is swimming. Swimming is a
fantastic cardiovascular activity that works the entire body. Or,
you could walk or run in the pool. Walking and running in the water
is just as effective as it is outside of the water, if not more so.
After you've warmed up, you're ready to tone specific parts of your
body. Here are a few great exercises categorized by the part of the
body they are designed to benefit:
Legs:
Legs can be easily toned with side and front leg lifts. Simply hold
on to the side of the pool and do sets of leg lifts to the front,
then the sides.
Then, hold on to the side and stretch your legs out behind you. You
can also use a kickboard for this exercise. Simply kick vigorously
for the count of thirty.
Arms:
Try arm circles. Extend arms out to the sides and make small
circles. Do this for a count of thirty on each arm. This counts as
a set. When you get more accustomed to the exercise, you can do
several sets.
Abs:
Hold on to the side of the pool with your shoulders. Using your
abdominal muscles, bend legs and pull them to your chest.
One way to add interest to your workouts is with the use of weights
made for the pool. By using water weights, you can increase the
resistance of your exercises and do some strength training.
While there are lots of other great water exercises you can try,
these will provide you with an introduction to exercising in the
water. To learn more water exercises, you can take classes at your
local gym or YMCA With an experienced teacher to guide you, you're
more likely to do the exercises with the correct form. Good form
increases the efficiency and safety of water exercises.
Speaking of safety, be sure to stay hydrated. It's easy to forget
about drinking water when you're submerged in water. So, take
breaks now and then to drink water or something like Gatorade that
replenishes electrolytes.
Water exercises are a great way to get in shape. So if you're
looking to lose fat and tone up, head to the nearest pool and dive
in!
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