A backyard pool is a brilliant resource when it comes to getting daily exercise that can build up your strength, endurance, and flexibility.
While you are unlikely to be swimming Olympic regulation laps in the pool in your backyard, with a bit of creativity, you can still give your body a full vigorous workout. A pool is also incredibly useful if you are building up strength when recovering from an injury, as the buoyancy of the water means there is less strain being put on your muscles and joints as you exercise.
Here are five of the best exercises you can do in your backyard pool.
Water Running
Water provides a lot of resistance to work against when you try to walk or run as you would do normally. This exercise is a high-cardio workout when practiced correctly.
One of its biggest benefits is that there is no weight in your knees, hips, or ankles meaning the exercise is low impact.
You can burn a lot of calories in your pool with this simple exercise. It is also known as “aqua jogging,” and there are many tutorials online that can help you get the most out of any session.
Water Crunches
Floating on your back in the water, drape your knees over the edge of the pool. Use your core to lift your upper body out of the water and then gently lower yourself back into the water. This is a strengthening exercise that will build up your core and tone your abs.
Try to do these in sets of twenty and ensure rest periods between each set to give your body some recovery time.
Bicycle Kicks
Bicycle kicks are simply kicking your leg in a repetitive circular motion as if pedaling a bike. You can do this by either holding onto the edge of the pool and kicking behind you to keep yourself afloat. Or you can use a pool noodle, straddling it like a bike saddle and kicking downwards.
Core Toning
This exercise is designed to strengthen your legs and core trunk muscles. Place your back against the pool wall and outstretch your arms across the wall to make a T-shape. You then lift your legs in front of you in the water, open them into a V, and close them again. You can repeat this as many times as your legs and abs will allow.
This exercise works best with a straight-edged pool. If you work with a custom pool builder, they will be able to design a pool to your specifications to ensure you can carry out exercises as desired.
Swim Laps
Even a small pool can accommodate a lap or two. If you have enough space, try to swim continuously to increase your heart rate and burn calories. If your pool is too small for laps, then hold onto the side and kick your legs, imitating your desired stroke. If you are swimming a lot of laps each day, vary it up by trying to swim multiple different strokes in one session.
Use these exercises to make the most of your pool by getting great exercise this summer!