Beat the Heat with These 3 Water Workouts

Toning up and getting in shape this summer doesn’t have to leave you hot and sweaty.  Jump into the cool refreshing waters of your pool and practice these three aerobic exercise examples to really blast your body into shape!

Water Fly Backs

It’s tank top season, making fly backs a “must” when it comes to performing exercises in the pool.  Fly backs work almost every muscle in your upper body such as your chest, your upper back, and your arms.

To do this exercise, work yourself into a lunge with one knee bent (make sure the knee is over the ankle and not the toes) and the other knee extended straight behind you.  Now reach your arms straight out in front at chest level with your fingers extended, thumbs pointing up and palms touching.  Open you arms straight out as if you were opening curtains, and then return to starting position.  Try doing 8 to 15 reps, switching your lunge stance with each rep.

Aqua Planks

Planks are the ultimate core crusher, and performing them in water significantly reduces the amount of stress that land planks place on your shoulders, arms, and back.

Begin by standing on the pool floor with a pool noodle in each hand.  Press the noodle down towards the floor of the pool, and lean forward until your body is on an even and balanced incline.  Work your way into holding the pose for 2 minutes or more.

An Alternative to Aqua Running

Of the aqua aerobic exercise examples, aqua running is the most well known.  But if you’re tired of doing water sprints, try this low impact cardio workout that also helps strengthen your chest, back, arms, as well as your core.

Take a noodle and straddle it as if you were seated on a horse.  Begin pedaling around you pool as fast as you can, holding yourself upright and completely vertical.  Then, as you pedal, work your arms, chest and core at the same time by performing fly backs.

Shasta Pools is a Phoenix pool builder who provides a variety of services including swimming pool remodeling, commercial pool building, and pool service and repair. Since its establishment in 1967, Shasta has helped over 80,000 families realize their dream of pool ownership. By providing exceptional value, quality craftsmanship and superior customer service, the Shasta team continues to fulfill the corporate mission of astonishing and delighting their customers and exceeding expectations. You can learn more about Shasta Pools & Spas by visiting them online, or by connecting with them on Facebook or Twitter.