If you have a pool, you have all that you need for an effective and accessible workout. Particularly during times of social distancing and stay-at-home mandates, a backyard pool is an excellent way to relieve stress and maintain physical wellbeing. If you live in Florida, Texas, or Arizona, call the professionals at Pool Troopers to learn more or to schedule service.
Make the most of your pool and backyard for your next workout with these tips:
Set Yourself Up for Success
If you are going to use your pool consistently for your exercise regiment, first, set up the space to be conducive to your success. Right now with concerns of contracting illness, professional pool cleaning is prudent. Additionally, you will need routine chemical service to make sure your chemical levels are safe and to inactivate any bacteria or germs in the water. Make things easy on yourself as you focus on your commitment to working out, and hire a professional to keep your pool up to par.
Spend some time and energy on your landscaping, too. After all, if you are going to spend time in the backyard, improve it to be a comfortable place where you want to hang out. This might involve planting a privacy border, installing a fence, or using a solar-powered water fountain. Do something to make the space your own that is congruent with your fitness goals.
What to Do
So, now that your pool and backyard are ready for you to launch a workout regiment, it is time to figure out some sensible pool exercises. How will you use the pool in your next workout? Since water provides low impact resistance, it is an excellent location for basic stretches and exercises that involve the joints, like your knees and shoulders. Older individuals can appreciate activities like this as it puts less strain on these parts of the body, typically the sites of arthritis and chronic pain as we age.
Consult with online resources to find simple aqua-aerobic activities that you may replicate in the comfort of your own swimming pool. Invest in a noodle or some pool weights for your new routine and get moving!
Even if you simply put on water shoes and walk for 10 to 20 minutes in the shallow end of the pool, you are underway and doing your body good!
Inventive Ideas
Even though you are working out at home, there are some clever suggestions to help optimize your routine. Some inventive ideas to get the most from your backyard workouts in the pool are:
- Log your workouts so that you can see progress made. Also, it serves as an incentive when you may not feel like working out.
- Invest in some new gear, like floatation devices, pull buoys, floating dumbbells, or a cool kickboard.
- Measure your pool and figure out how many lengths it will take to complete a mile. Use an online calculator tool to make the math simple.
Experts and athletes alike recommend a buddy system during workouts. When your motivation falters, your buddy can inspire you and vice versa. Also, it is always safest to not swim alone.
Burn Fat
If your goal is to burn fat, you can’t go wrong with aqua jogging. Simply jog in place and let the resistance of the water create more intensity without the pain or exhaustion that traditional running can cause. You can burn around 17 calories per minute of aqua jogging at a brisk pace. Use a watch to time yourself and gradually increase your time or repetitions. A couple of tips include standing in water that is waist-deep during jogging for optimal results and investing in a pair of supportive, non-slip water shoes for traction.
Build Core Strength
There are lots of workouts and exercises that build core strength using a swimming pool, including vertical workouts. When you think about vertical workouts in a pool, think about the strength that it takes to pull yourself out of a pool on the side; it can be a challenge! Use the side of your pool as a foundation for pull-ups, of sorts, or for jumping. Simply jumping up and down, like you are on a trampoline, can also build up core body strength.
There is something distinctive about a person that regularly swims. They often appear long and lean, toned, and tight. Build your core strength and achieve that lanky look with some vertical exercises in your swimming pool. The best part is that you really do not need any special equipment or tools.
Another great way to build your core in the pool is through laps. Choose a stroke – it does not matter which one – and practice your form as you swim laps in your pool. Again, it makes good sense to measure the length of your pool and divide into the length of a mile to determine how many laps you will swim.
Recuperate and Rehabilitate
Since the water in your pool provides a gentle, low impact approach to working out, it is an ideal platform for physical therapy. In fact, you often see physical therapists working with their clients in pools or water to improve mobility and flex the joints. Consider using your pool when and if you become injured to safely and securely work the muscles without the pain and difficulty that may result outside the pool. Swimming has long been an effective strategy to increase mobility and flexibility for many patients, athletes, and individuals. Remember, the key to keeping your pool a safe and recuperative environment is to keep it clean and disinfected with the proper amount of chlorine and bromine in the water. This requires a delicate and thoughtful balance. Call Pool Troopers if you need assistance in our service area.
Safety Tips
Working out in the pool merits a reminder about safety. Play it safe when playing in the water!
Some pool safety tips include:
- Make sure to keep your pool clean, disinfected, and chemically balanced to ensure a safe experience for all who use it.
- Steer away from the main drain in your pool or tub. The suction from this drain can fetch your apparel or extremities and cause drowning.
- Children should never be left unsupervised in pools, hot-tubs, or other water features.
- Never eat or chew gum while you are swimming as this is a choking hazard. Also, let your food digest before jumping in for a swim.
- Do not permit glass containers near or around your pool. Use less dangerous plastic, instead.
- Fully remove any cover from the pool or tub before entering the water.
- Get out of the pool or hot tub during storms with thunder and lightning.
- Always keep a floatation device or life-ring near the pool in case of an emergency.
- Encourage other members of the household to learn CPR and basic first aid. Has your certification expired? This is a great time to take an online course and recertify for safety.
- Keep your phone nearby when working out in your backyard pool. It can save a lot of time during an emergency.
Also, when it comes to staying safe, make sure that your pool is in top-notch condition by making any necessary repairs. When you hire us to restore or make repairs, the job is not done until you are happy. Check out our frequently asked questions to learn more about our dedication to customer satisfaction.
Get your pool in shape for backyard workouts this season. Servicing since 1952, Pool Troopers is your full-service pool maintenance company for residential pool owners. Customers know that they can rely on us for experience, expertise, and ease. Need some help with your pool in Florida, Texas, or Arizona? Call or contact us today!
