Spending time in the pool with your kids this summer?
While the kids are getting their exercise, splashing and wearing themselves out, you can burn major calories, too, without even breaking a sweat! After all, you’re a Mom – I know you are always looking for new ways to multitask!
Today I’m sharing pool workouts that hit every one of our post-babies-busy-and-tired-discouraged-I-can’t-find-time-to-work-out-very-often trouble spots.
Hopefully this summer you have finally declared “to heck with my bathing suit insecurities, it’s hot outside and I am getting in the pool!” If you haven’t, you should. Believe me, I am no stranger to body insecurities, but I am tired of missing all the fun in the sun just because I have flaws! Did you by chance see the HuffPost article last month entitled Mom’s Put on That Swimsuit? Definitely worth a quick read.
The following pool workouts are very well outlined and the moves explained thoroughly (in many cases there is a video demonstration). They go beyond laps. Laps are great…and kick my behind, cardio-wise…but there are many other great exercises you can do without straying from where your kids are playing. My children are still in the floaties/beginner swimmer stage, so I need exercises I can do right beside the steps/shallow end. We don’t have our own pool, but we do have a large community pool that has been a great source of fun this summer.
Fitness Magazine: Tone in the Pool
“This water workout burns tons of calories but feels like play,” says Greg Moe, a master trainer for Rough-Fit outdoor fitness programs in Tustin, California, who created these insanely trimming moves exclusively for FITNESS. Simply treading water vigorously can zap 11 calories a minute, same as a six-mile-per-hour run. “Plus, water’s continuous resistance forces you to engage more muscle fibers through a larger range of motion,” says Moe, so you’ll firm from every angle.
Shape: Burn Calories in the Pool (No Laps Required!)
“The best exercises to blast fat and tone your whole body in water.” Of the 33 exercises shared, most are very simple and don’t require anything more than a pool noodle, if anything at all. (Think doggie paddling, bicycling and scissor kicks.)
The best thing about working out in the water is how gentle it is on your joints. Jogging on the concrete, or even the treadmill can be very tough on your body. The resistance of the water is fantastic for challenging your muscles. And frankly, in the pool you aren’t as quickly aware of how hard you’ve worked. (Unlike at the gym, where as soon as I start to feel hot and sweaty, my brain says “Ok, great! I’m done now!)”
Sometimes my children require too much attention in the pool, and I can’t seem to do anything more than a little dog paddling and a few kicks. (“Jump up and down with me, Mommy! I need a snack, Mommy!”) So, I have started to give them their snack on the lounge chairs, while I stay in the water to accomplish a few things. Or, consider telling them that for the next 10 minutes (and another 10 minutes later) you are going to exercise right next to them while they play, and when you are finished, it’s their turn to play with Mommy. It’s always good for our kids to learn that we need to prioritize exercise.
Have fun, and don’t forget your sunscreen!
Nicole
Jebbica @Jebbica's World says
I can't WAIT til it's hot enough for swimming! Bring on the SPF 3000!!
Daily Momtivity says
Me too!! Can't wait to get into the water!
Nextexitgasfoodlaughter says
I absolutely love these ideas! Especially the low impact as I am recovering from injury. Going to try these Monday, thanks!
Daily Momtivity says
Water aerobics is great while you recover. Hope you are better soon! #fitnessfriday