Getting on the treadmill day after day can get old quickly. If you’re looking for a different way to exercise, try hopping in the pool. Swimming can provide just as much calorie burning as jogging or biking, and for some people it’s more refreshing. If you choose to make swimming your exercise of choice, there are some tips you can follow to make your workout more effective.
Monitor Heart Rate
Sweating is a good sign of a quality workout, but it’s hard to tell if you’re really breaking a sweat in the pool. For a more accurate way to determine if you’re getting a good workout in the pool, monitor your heart rate regularly. Have an analog watch or stop watch on hand as you work out. Take a break during your workout and find your pulse. Count the number of beats over a minute. You can also count the number of beats over 30 seconds and multiply by two. If your heart rate isn’t where it needs to be in order to have an effective workout, increase your speed or intensity.
Mix It Up
The pool isn’t all about swimming laps, although that’s a great way to burn calories. The pool can be used to build and tone muscle as well. Try out a number of different exercises in the pool and find which ones fit you best. Use the water as resistance the same as you would weights in the gym. Leg lifts, lunges and other similar exercises are magnified when done in the water because of the effect the water has on the way the body moves.
Use Equipment
There is a whole host of exercise equipment designed especially for the pool. Many pieces are made of foam and designed to act with the water to provide resistance. Foam water weights are very light in comparison to real free weights, but when used underwater, they turn into an effective weight training tool. Water noodles are also made out of foam and can help you float in the water while performing exercises like water sit ups.
Join a Class
Water aerobics classes are very popular and mix the fun of swimming with the calorie-burning benefits of an aerobic workout. Working out in a class or group setting can help keep you motivated to complete a full workout and may even give you some fun ideas to use the next time you’re working out in the pool on your own.
About this Author
James Patterson specializes in health and wellness topics, having written and produced material for the National Institutes of Health, the President’s Cancer Panel, and an Inc. 500 Hall of Fame company. He is also a former sportswriter, with writing experience in basketball, baseball, softball, golf and other popular sports, and writes relevant sports titles.
