How to Tone Legs With Swimming
Swimming is a relaxing yet invigorating exercise routine that strengthens and tones muscles throughout the entire body when performed on a regular basis. There are a variety of swimming-related exercises that can be used to tone the legs while working out in the pool. Consider a few different factors to determine which exercises would be best for you.
Instructions
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Use a kickboard to complete laps in a pool to tone your legs while swimming. Hold on to the kickboard with both hands with it placed in front of you at arms length and kick alternating between each leg one at a time. Another variation on a kickboard workout is to hold the kickboard across your chest as you swim on your back and kick both legs for momentum.
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Wear swimming fins while swimming laps to add resistance to your workout that will help build and tone muscle in your legs. Swimming fins will also help you swim faster by making it easier to increase your kick rate. They help tone your legs by taking the resistance off your feet and ankles and placing it in the correct muscles in your legs.
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Swim at a comfortable pace and for a length of time that you do not find overly fatiguing. Most beginners should be able to swim between 10 and 15 minutes without stopping to rest, while more advanced swimmers may be able to swim continuously for up to an hour.
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Do leg lifts to tone your legs while holding on to the side of the pool. Stand in an area of the pool where you head rests comfortably above the surface of the water and hold on to the edge of the pool while facing away from it. Lift each leg up in front of you ten times while keeping your upper body held up straight and then alternate between each leg lifting it out to the corresponding side in the same manner.
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Try water walking or running to tone your legs with the opportunity to get a cardiovascular workout at the same time. The resistance of the water provides a strong amount of resistance without the high impact of running on land. Walk or run laps in the pool while keeping your hands on your head to force your legs to do all the work.
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Tips & Warnings
The freestyle stroke, also known as the crawl, is the best cardiovascular workout of any swim stroke. Even if you are simply interested in toning muscle, it is important to incorporate cardiovascular exercise into your workout plan to get well-balanced results.
