Choose You Blog

For the past few weeks I’ve been swimming regularly, and using some basic water fitness equipment that I picked up at my local pool supply story. I bought an aqua fitness jog belt, water resistant barbells, and water ankle weights.

This is the first time in years that I’ve been feeling good about exercising. Not only am I having fun, but it’s something I can enjoy with my daughter too.

Is it possible to get a good workout in your swimming pool?  Yes.

Swimming and exercising in a pool is not only beneficial for your body, but it’s fun too. And when it’s too hot for your regular exercise routine, swimming is just the thing to keep you cool while still burning calories. For years I’ve been frustrated because I could never find a workout that didn’t exacerbate one of my many chronic health problems. But doctors have always recommend swimming, and now I am finally going to give it a try.

Here are a few swimming and aqua fitness facts…

• Simply treading water for an hour can burn the same amount of calories in a Snickers bar (272 calories).
• Swimming laps (freestyle) or an hour of doing the breaststroke can burn as many calories as in a McDonald’s Big Mac with Cheese (680 calories).
• You could even try water jogging and burn the equivalent of two Starbucks Grande Caffe Lattes (544 calories).

Unlike other exercise regimens, swimming is something just about all of us can do. It’s low impact, easy on your back, and great for rehabbing after joint surgeries. Even with asthma and chronic fatigue syndrome, all of my doctors recommend swimming for the cardiac health benefits.

Here are some great videos that explain the different types of water workouts you can do with (or without) additional equipment.  [I was unable to attach the videos here, please go to my personal blog - Aqua Fitness:  How To Get A Great Workout In The Pool].

*Catherine is the mother of two teenagers, she writes about health & wellness at BlogHer and catherine-morgan.com.