Summer is in full swing! Use your pool to keep in shape. Looking for a great place to exercise? Forget about trying to motivate yourself to make sure you get the most out of those hefty gym memberships OR getting up at zero-thirty to pound the pavement (and your joints) for a multi mile run. Swimming and/or exercising in the pool is a full body workout, one providing low impact resistance training with slew of health benefits!

Did you know that the mortality rate of swimmers tends to be lower than other athletes? Just one example of why is the fact that exercising in the pool can be an exceptional cardio workout, decreasing the risk of heart disease. Swimming is also a great way to shed excess pounds because you will burn 600-900 calories per hour, depending on your stroke of choice. And, like all forms of exercise, swimming increases endorphins, boosting mood and reducing anxiety.

Treading water is also a great non-stop method of exercise for the arms and legs and an excellent way to increase heart rate. Other pool exercises include water walking and side water walking which works hips and inside leg muscles. You can do arm lifts, leg lifts, knee lifts and lunges – all with the water providing effective, safe resistance. Leg kicks and scissor kicks will not only work the legs, but your abs as well and jumping jacks or simply jumping will build muscle in one to three sets of eight to twelve reps each. You can even add a kickboard or swim fins to your pool exercise routine to make things more interesting!

Pool exercise is excellent for absolutely everyone and especially helpful for seniors or those who may have been recently injured and want to increase their mobility without placing any unnecessary burden on their joints. So don’t sweat the summer months. Just use your pool for a cool way to exercise!