Hit the Pool for a Fun Summer Workout

Brady Nolan - PRO PT

Looking for a safe way to exercise without the normal wear and tear on your body? With warm weather ahead, look no further than a swimming pool. Being able to swim is not required and pool exercises can be performed in shallow, waist-deep water. Pool workout routines are easily tailored to all comfort and ability levels.

If you’re looking for an alternative to running or walking on a treadmill, swimming or walking laps in the water are good examples of pool cardio workouts. Walking in a pool decreases the impact through your joints in comparison to walking on land. This decreased load allows many who suffer from arthritis, joint, or back issues to walk with little or no pain in the water.

When recovering from an injury, exercising in a pool can help make the transition back to normal movement less painful. Warm water loosens tight muscles and joints for improved motion. Pool walking and standing exercises allows an individual to perform strengthening tasks without feeling the weight of their entire body on the injured area.

Simple accessories, such as pool noodles, kick boards, foam dumbbells, and resistance gloves can help you progress the difficulty of pool exercises without buying expensive equipment to use on land. Body weight exercises such as squats, calf raises, and leg lifts are good exercises to begin with.

Pool exercise is a good way to improve endurance, mobility, and balance, as well as your overall health condition and fitness level. If you are not a strong swimmer, take necessary safety precautions - have someone else nearby and use floatation devices. If you’re unsure what exercises to do in the pool, reach out to one of our aquatic physical therapists for some simple recommendations.