Splashing Joys... for The Warm Water Enthusiast
RESISTANCE IN WATER IS 4 TIMES RESISTANCE ON DRY LAND.
Swimming works virtually all of the body's major and minor muscle groups, especially if a variety of strokes are employed and enjoyed. The resistance of the arms and legs against the water works the muscles of the arms, shoulders, hips, abdominals, and legs. Moving the major joints through a wide range of motion and a variety of strokes systematically improves flexibility and joint motion.
Upper body development is maximized in swimming workouts. Studies show that about 80% of the forward motion comes from arm, back, and shoulder muscles, while the legs mainly stabilize and propel little in comparison.
Vigorous Workouts greatly challenge not only the muscle groups but the heart, lungs, and entire arterial/venous blood systems, helping to build cardiorespiratory endurance. Water Workouts can be intensely aerobic. Hydrotherapeutic exercise devises (TOYS!) can further challenge, stabilize, inspire, and entertain The Enthusiast, while providing variety (FUN!) to Workouts.
The Water Workout fulfills 2 of the 3 basic forms of exercise needed by the human body. It can be intensely (#1) aerobic. And it can provide (#2) stretching. One can perform nearly all manner of stretching routines, especially when using the sides of the pool to stabilize certain stretches.
Water Workouts are especially beneficial for the overweight or for those with any kind of musculoskeletal problems that make weight-bearing painful and difficult. Quite simply, FAT FLOATS. The Water Enthusiast high in body fat, who finds movement painful and cumbersome, becomes graceful and light in the water! These are liberating, encouraging, glorious moments!
As long as your body fat % is above 6 (includes virtually everyone but professional athletes), your body weighs less in the water than it does on land. And this floating effect means you can get a very good workout, minimizing risk of microtraumas and injuries associated with dry land workouts.
"Swimnastics" refers to exercises other than actual swim strokes done in the water. An endless variety of common calisthenic and flexibility exercises can be performed in the water. These swimnastics are ideal for Health Seekers with weak muscles, pained muscles, and joint problems.
Swimming and swimnastics are great activities for burning calories. As you get in shape and improve your stroke mechanics, your speed and endurance will naturally increase. Expect to burn in the range of 200 to 600 calories or even more per hour, depending on a number of variables: your weight, your choice of strokes, the efficiency of your strokes and breathing, your speed.
The forgiving Warm Water serves to cool The Exercise Enthusiast, greatly avoiding the heat and fatigue and depletion and exhaustion that accompany dry land workouts. Because of these reduced factors in Warm Water Workouts, ideally, The Enthusiast is able to work out much longer and much harder and with much less pain than while performing virtually any other type of exercise!
Water walking is a great way to burn calories. You stride through the water, usually thigh-deep or deeper. The deeper the water and the more vigorously you move, the more calories burned. In deep water, you can get an upper body workout by swinging your arms against the water's resistance. For variety, walk sideways, backwards, and forward. Aerobic dance steps to favorite music is the ultimate high for some Water Enthusiasts! 1 mile walked in water = 4 walked on land.
An unparalleled intimacy with Nature can be realized in Warm Water Workouts in the great out-of-doors! God's Natural Wilderness of lake and river, natural pool and hot spring settings serve up this marvel! Different natural settings and different times of dawn, day, night, moon phases, and seasons when tuned into at deepest levels can enrich the soul
