Types of Pool Exercises
Adults need to stay active, but being active presents some challenges. Pool exercises for active adults can be a fun way to focus on your health year-round. You can socialize and feel your blood flowing with this low-impact exercise style, especially if you need to minimize stress on the joints.
There are so many great water exercises, just remember to always have a partner as you achieve the health benefits of aerobic exercise and muscle strength. You should always talk to your doctor before you begin any form of exercise.
Pool exercises for active adults provide the most benefits when done in water that is at least waist deep, but not above your shoulders. Here are some exercises that will really get you going!
1. Water Walking: Walk across the pool or march in place to increase your heart rate.
2. Flutter Kicks: Propel forward with your legs. You can travel across the pool by holding a kickboard, or hold the sides of the pool and kick while you stay in place.
3. Leg Lifts: Stand in place as you lift your leg straight out to the side and back down. Repeat until you can’t anymore and then do the same with the other leg. Leg lifts work the muscles in your legs and hips, while also focusing on your core muscles.
4. Leg Swings: Hold onto the edge of the pool facing sideways. Bring your outside leg forward, hold for a few seconds, then swing it backward and hold again until your leg is weakening and tired. Repeat with the other leg.
5. Standing Push-ups: For standing push-ups, you need to stand by the sides of the pool and grab the edge with your arms straight. Bend your elbows and lean in toward the wall, then push out and straighten your arms. This is a great pool exercise for building upper body strength without putting too much stress on the joints.
6. Arm Curls: Grab some water weights to get the most out of this exercise. Simply stand in the pool with your arms straight down and palms out. Bend your arms and curl your water weights up and then back down fast enough to feel the resistance of the water. Repeat.
7. Arm Circles: To do this exercise, move to deeper water or squat down so the water comes to your shoulders. Lift your arms straight out to your sides, with your palms down. Move your arms in a circular motion forward for 10 to 20 seconds, then reverse direction. This is a great way to engage your arms and shoulders.
8. Chest Fly: Hold your arms out in front of your chest, palms facing each other. Push your arms through the water out to your sides and then back together in front of you. If you are able, use water weights to increase the resistance of the water.
9. Calf Raises: While holding the edge of the pool, shift your weight onto the balls of your feet, lift your heels, hold, and come back down. Repeat this as many times as your body allows.
10. Swim: Swimming is a great full-body type of exercise that works your heart, limbs, and core muscles all at once.
Larkspur at Creekside is located in New Braunfels, TX, and is a 55+ Active Adult Community. Among our many amenities, enjoy our lap and lounge pools as you strive to become more active and focus on your health.