When someone tells you that they work out, what do you think of first? Likely a gym membership, a pair of running shoes, or an exercise video. But exercising in a pool is just as beneficial as working out on land, and in some ways, it’s even better.
For one, it’s much easier on the joints (a fortunate fact for anyone who has arthritis or joint problems). It also tends to burn more calories due to the resistance of the water. And working out in a pool enables you to work muscles that are often otherwise missed.
The problem is, just as you might not think of a pool first when considering where to work out, many people aren’t aware that there’s a range of exercise equipment designed for swimming that can maximize the health benefits of your water-based activities. To introduce you to some of them, here’s a list of some of the most effective swimming pool equipment.
Fins
Fins, or flippers, are swimming aids that allow you to go faster when in the water. Divers use them all the time. But before you say, “Wait, don’t they make swimming easier?”, remember that for the added power they provide, they also apply added resistance, and require additional effort to use.
Flippers are big andheavy, and they move more water with each stroke. Slip them on and jump in, and your legs will be burning in no time.
Paddles
Just as fins add resistance to your legs, paddles (or webbed gloves) add resistance to your arm strokes. Worn on the hands, they function just like paddles, allowing you to move more water with each stroke. The added speed comes at the cost of added effort, and your shoulders will really be feeling it after a swim with these on.
Kickboard
If you’re looking to isolate your legs rather than increase resistance, a kickboard is an essential piece of swimming exercise gear. Held in the hands, it helps keep you afloat while occupying the arms so that your legs have to do all the swimming. It can be held close to the chest for comfort, or out at arm’s length to give your core a workout as well.
Pull Buoy
A pull buoy does for your arms what a kickboard does for your legs. Placing one between the legs forces your arms to do all the work, while still keeping you from sinking. It’s used between the thighs and requires you to keep your legs tightly together to hold it in place, so you’ll likely still feel a bit of a burn there, too.
Resistance Socks
If you’re just looking to make swimming harder in general, resistance socks are a good way to start. Worn on the feet, these simple devices increase your drag, making it more difficult to move quickly in the water. This forces your whole body to exert more effort to maintain your pace, and can really spice up your workout.
Parachute
If you’ve been swimming a while and want something that’s a step up from resistance socks, go with a parachute. While swimming parachutes won’t save you from falling out of a plane, they will slow you down in the water. The added resistance from dragging what’s basically a small fabric bucket will have your muscles aching in no time.
Ankle/Wrist Weights
Now let’s take a look at some swimming equipment that can also be used for activities other than swimming. First up are ankle and wrist weights. These small, wearable weights wrap around your wrists or ankles and usually fasten with velcro. While they can be used during a normal swim session to weigh you down a little, they’re also very useful while doing other stretches and exercises in the pool.
Water Fan Paddles
These devices are handheld rods that end in circular plastic fans. Similar in function to webbed gloves, they add resistance to your arm movements in the water. For a beginner exercise, try extending your arms to the sides and then attempt to clap with them, then repeat. It’s a great way to weight train without the weights.
Water Weights
Speaking of weights, water weights are a little different than normal dumbbells when it comes to swimming pool exercise equipment. Essentially a floatation device with a handle, these dumbbells are usually made of foam (or some other buoyant material), and exert force in the opposite direction of regular weights. In other words, while a gym weight might pull down, these pull up, allowing you to work different muscle groups than usual (like your triceps).
Resistance Bands
Lastly, resistance bands aren’t pool-only exercise equipment, but they tend to function just as well in the water. For a basic exercise, try standing on the band while holding the handles, and then stretching your arms out straight to the sides. It’s an excellent way to tone your muscles without adding undue stress on your joints.
Drag Suits
A simple addition to your pool exercise equipment can be what you are wearing when you swim. You shouldn’t be in your competition suit every time you hit the water. The point of your competition suit is to reduce drag and make you more streamlined in the water. While you’re working out, you might want to increase drag, so wear a drag suit.
This will help you get more drag and resistance in the water, and also save your competition suit from wear and tear, which will help it stay tight and keep you compressed on a race day. While there are official drag suits sold by swim companies, layering last season’s competition suit with a casual suit can start to add important drag and increase your resistance in the water. If you’re feeling like you need extra drag, buy a suit that is a size or two larger than what you normally wear, and add it to your layers of swimsuits.
Water Jogging Belt
Jogging belts change how you work out in the water. Jogging belts keep you floating upright in deep water. These give you the ability to get a great aerobic workout without the stress on your joints. While most often seen in water aerobic classes, this piece of swimming pool exercise equipment can help athletes of all types, especially those that are inexperienced in water or are healing from injuries.
For those who want to shake up their workouts, or for those who are looking for exercises that are easier on their body, water-based fitness can be an excellent option. And with the above swimming pool exercise equipment, you’ll always be able to get the level of intensity you need from each session. If you’re interested in any of the swimming exercise gear, they are available through your local swimming store or online retailers.