Can’t swim? No problem! Water is a great resistance tool for exercising and almost anyone can enjoy it.
When you are in water, movement becomes easier because the water supports you. Gravity cannot pull so much on your joints. The spaces between your spine bones can actually get more open.
Water resists your movements. That’s what strengthens your muscles. The water acts as a resistance tool.
And it just plain feels good! Here’s the video:
If you cannot go into the deeper end of the pool, don’t worry. You can do most of these movements in the shallower end, too.
And something else you can do in the shallow end is resistance walking. Just walk pressing your legs (and maybe your arms, too) against the water with forward movements. Use your whole foot to walk and push off with your toes.
Here are some of the reasons I love doing water exercises.
- It’s easier to move your joints in the water.
- You don’t sweat while you are working out.
- It’s refreshing.
- You get a good workout.
- If you are outside, you are getting your Vitamin D and that’s really important!
I really did learn to swim by watching turtles and I’m not really a mermaid. But it’s fun to pretend and you can, too!
