Exercising in your pool

Many people love their pool because it’s a great way to relax and have fun. But another benefit is that your pool can be used to improve your health. Water aerobics, lap swimming, and even weight lifting and cardio work in the pool are great ways to build strength, endurance, or practice physical therapy.

People have used swimming for its health benefits for centuries, and a pool brings that benefit right to your backyard. It’s a great form of exercise with less stress on your joints.

Pool safety

It’s important to stay safe while exercising in your pool. Here are a few tips for you to keep in mind.

First, when you’re in water, it’s challenging to tell how much you’re actually sweating. Since sweating regulates your internal temperature, you want to be sure to drink plenty of water and replenish your electrolytes while exercising in the pool.

Second, also pay attention to how you feel while you work out. Stop exercising if you get lightheaded, dizzy, very short of breath, nauseous, faint, weak, or have uncomfortable pressure in your upper body.

A few final tips to keep safe:

• Exercise with someone else around
• Keep a flotation device in the pool or nearby
• Don’t work out in a pool near or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit

Types of exercises

There are plenty of options for exercising in your pool, while some of them will vary based on what kind of pool you have.

A longer pool is suited for swimming laps. A leisurely lap can be be done in a pool anywhere from 25 to 50 feet long.

If you’re not into swimming laps, there are other options. You can do stationary exercises to get your heart pumping and your muscles stretching and flexing. Here’s a short list of stationary pool exercises to consider:

• Pool-edge burpees
• Planking
• Running in place
• Balancing on one leg
• Lunges
• Squats
• Skipping in place
• Crunches

Any type of movement you choose should be modified to fit your personal ability. It’s best to talk with a health professional before starting a new health and fitness plan so you can be sure you’re doing what’s best for your body.