Pools - A great place for a fun workout

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(NC)—Swimming pools are ideal for exercising, improving joint and muscle

flexibility, improving cardio-respiratory performance and increasing strength and

endurance. What makes aquatic exercise so beneficial to our bodies is that it is

low impact; the water cushions the impact of our movements, so there

is less stress on bones and joints than jogging or even walking.

Like any exercise routine, an aquatic workout should begin with a short warm-

up period with stretching exercises to make your muscles more flexible. It should be followed by a five minute 'cool down' or resting period to allow your muscles to relax and heart rate to return to normal.

There are a variety of workouts you can do in the water – depending on what

part of your body you want to exercise. For back and abdominal muscles,

walking across the pool in waist-deep water helps tone muscles.

To tone the hips, face the pool wall and stand with your legs together, two feet

away from the wall with your arms stretched out touching the rim. Move one outstretched leg behind you as high as possible and then repeat

with the other leg.

As little as 30 minutes a day, three days a week will make a dramatic improvement in your level of physical fitness and outlook on life.

More information about pools and spas can be found online at www.poolcouncil.ca.

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