One of the many things we have taken away from a chaotic 2020 is that maintaining your own health and wellness is very important. In South Florida, we are lucky enough to have decent weather majority of the year and a lot of our homes have swimming pools. Swimming pools allow us an enjoyable and effective way to exercise for all ages.
Exercising in the pool allows for a full-body workout along with assisting in keeping your heart healthy. Water offers a heavier resistance than air, therefore making some of your exercises more challenging in the water than on land. Aside from a great cardio workout, swimming also increases your strength, endurance and flexibility. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), swimming is especially helpful for people who have joint conditions, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, it’s a gentler form of exercise for pregnant women or the elderly.
Another great reason for working out in the pool is that you can choose whether or not you use the equipment. Some simple exercises for a full-body workout include walking in the water, lateral arm lifts, jumping jacks or leg kicks. Old fashioned swimming also does the trick! Although swimming can be relatively safe, we always encourage sharing safety tips. You may sweat more than you realize while you are working out in the water so it is always important to drink plenty of fluids before and after. If you are not a strong swimmer, we recommend having a flotation device nearby or someone keeping an eye out. Additionally, we also encourage you to avoid working out in a pool that is heated about 90’ degrees F.
Happy swimming into 2021!
