How to Exercise in Your Backyard Pool
While a lap pool is commonly used for swimming exercise, there's no reason you can't get a good workout in your backyard pool. Swimming exercises are great full-body workouts that offer the added benefit of being low-impact.
Instructions
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Jog in the water. Regardless of whether your pool is circular, kidney-shaped or oblong, count one turn around it as a lap. If the water is deep enough that it covers your arms, you can stroke along with the running as added exertion. Slowly increase the number of laps as you progress.
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Cut a hole into the centers of the flat plastic pieces you have. These are your handles. As you jog or walk along the pool, press the plastic down into the water as far as you can at regular intervals, such as every 10 steps. The lightweight plastic will be forced back to the surface by the water, so your goal is to hold it under. This is a good way to do pectoral exercises.
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Float with the kickboard, kicking your way around the pool as you did with jogging.
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Go underwater so only your neck and head are above it. Hold your arms out under the water, parallel to the ground, and keep them straight as you move them forward to clap, then backward as far as you can. Repeat for a set number of repetitions and try to increase your reps as you progress.
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Grab the side of the pool with both hands and bring your knees to your chest. Extend your legs without relaxing your abs. For a tougher workout, do the same by treading water, not holding onto the side of the pool.
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Tips & Warnings
Make a timetable for youself and stick to it.
Plan how many of each step you are going to do.
You may not initially see a change, but your friends will.
Be sensible, don't overdo it
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Pixland/Getty Images
