3 Water Activities to Help You Get Fit
By Genevieve Cunningham
The water can be a lot of fun. From water skiing to cannonballs to floating the river, hanging out in the water brings relaxation and good times. But the water can also be incredibly beneficial when it comes to health. In fact, the water can be a serious challenge that gets you in some of the best shape of your life. If you’re a fan of the water, and you’re looking to get fit, take a look at these three water activities that really work.
Water Aerobics
It might sound corny, but water aerobics is a real workout. Imagine all of the moves that are done on land -- high knees, jumping, arm circles -- but these are done in the water. What does that mean? It means extra resistance, extra calorie burn, and extra sweat. Considering you’re in the water, you may not feel sweaty, but your face will likely be burning hotter than ever. Just check out your local gym for a water aerobics class.
Swimming
Why not go straight back to the basics? Swimming is an excellent workout, and it’s a great way to both lose weight and tone the body. Stick to the old classic freestyle, or throw in some breaststroke, sidestroke, or backstroke to work different areas of the body. Though you might think that this will be easy, you’ll quickly find that swimming is a serious workout that leaves you sore, tired, and heading in a much healthier direction.
Treading
When was the last time you treaded water? Probably a long time ago. Treading water, or staying above the water in one place, is tough. Only a couple of minutes in, and you’ll find yourself struggling to stay afloat. If it’s too easy, raise your hands out of the water and use only your legs. Too difficult? Try to tread for only 30 seconds at a time before taking a rest. This is a great way to burn the muscles, and it’s also great for building endurance.
The water is good for so much more than play time. Though it definitely brings with it a ton of fun, it can also help you get in phenomenal shape. If you have a pool nearby -- in the gym, at your house, or at a friend’s -- take advantage of the fun and the challenge to get in some of the best shape of your life.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Folsom, Calif.