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This sponsored content is brought to you by Pulliam Pools
Swim season is here and we all know getting our bodies in tip-top shape is a must. Luckily if you've got a pool in your backyard, you're one step ahead; especially in this awful Texas heat.
Owning a backyard swimming pool brings the gym to you and adds a level of privacy. Water exercise is a great way to bring a new aspect to your current workout routine, revive your motivation level, and provide unique health benefits. Workouts in the water are so much fun that you may think they're not as intense due to water resistance. In reality, this form of exercise leads to a hard workout.
Because water workouts have a form of built-in resistance, it's simple to increase the intensity of your workout and challenge muscles that are harder to engage on land. Your body can have a wider range of motion and improve flexibility because water lessens the effects of gravity. Anyone, regardless of age or agility, can benefit from water exercise because it is low-impact and can be easily tailored to your fitness level.
Some of the additional benefits of exercising in water are that it builds cardiovascular stamina, strength, flexibility. It helps burn body fat, increases circulation and can help you rehabilitate healing muscles and joints.
Here are six tips to get the most out of your water workouts:
- Water depth should be between waist and chest high. There is more impact on your joints in shallow water and it is easier to lose balance and form in deeper water.
- If monitoring your heart rate, it will typically be 10 to 20 percent lower when exercising in water. Increasing speed and size of movements will increase the intensity. Remember to listen to your body and adjust your target heart rate accordingly.
- It is important to maintain alignment for good muscle balance. Keep abdominals tight to support a long, upright spine and tuck your hips slightly under.
- Staying hydrated is important because you may not feel or see the effects of the heat on your body.
- You know yourself best, listen to your body; water exercise should not be painful.
- Make your workout fun by adding music or working out with a friend.