With Sports Relief taking place in the coming week, we wanted to share our favourite pool exercises to get you back into the water. From group games to solo activities, we’ve got you covered!
Did we miss something off this list? Let us know your favourite pool exercises in the comments! We would love to hear your opinion.
The Benefits of Pool Exercise
Swimming can be a perfect workout routine for any individual, regardless of age or ability.
During swimming, your entire body is required to push against the resistance of the water, meaning that your legs and arms are equally exercised, without the need for a “legs or arms” focused day.
Swimming can help:
- Build endurance
- Tone muscles
- Alleviate stress
- Improve coordination
- Increase flexibility
- Lowers risk of heart disease, strokes, and type 2 diabetes
- Provide a sweat-free routine
Up for a real challenge? Why not try out cold-water swimming during Winter! Cold-water swimming has grown in popularity massively over the past few years, due to its health benefits and extreme nature. Our latest blog talks about the important precautions and safest procedures to take while engaging in the sport, so make sure you check it out!
Group Pool Exercises and Games
Water Polo
Possibly the most well-known on this list is the classic game of water polo. Water polo was one of the first ever games to be introduced to the modern Olympics in 1900 and is still a national favourite today.
We included water polo on this list as it requires little sports knowledge and only a couple of nets to begin play. The game consists of 7 players a team, with each team aiming to score the most goals through the opposition’s net. There are no positions assigned to players like in football and other sports, making it accessible to beginners too. If you’re not familiar with the playing rules, we’ve included a great guide on how to play.
Water Volleyball
Another easy game to pick up is volleyball (for the pool, not the beach!). Water volleyball requires 1-4 players a team and a net between the two halves of the pool. To score a point, you simply need to hit the pool over the net into your opposition’s area and land it in the water. The first team to reach 11 points wins.
Volleyball is another great family game, as there are very few rules to remember and play moves quickly. It’s also perfect for individuals looking to get more active, as it requires leaping and stretching to reach the ball.
Prefer to go solo? No problem! Below are our favourite solo exercises:
Solo Exercises
Pools are a great place for working out on your own and relaxing. If you’re getting tired of doing laps as your everyday routine, however, then these suggestions can help your break out of a rut and get more variety with your exercise.
Kick Drills
Kick drills are a great way to tighten your core strength, as well as work your thighs and glutes. Simply grab a kickboard (or the edge of the pool, if you don’t have one) and stretch your body out fully and kick, either across the length of the pool or for 2 minutes at a time.
For some variation, try:
- Flutter Kicks
- Frog Kicks
- Butterfly Kicks
Water Crunches
Possibly the most strenuous on this list is water crunches. To get the optimum position for these, lie on your back and put the bottom half of your legs on the poolside. Once in a stable position, use your abdominal muscles to pool your body up and then lower yourself at a steady pace. Set yourself a goal for the amount of reps you’d like to do and aim to slowly improve on this as the weeks go by.
For more solo exercises, check out this swim workout article.
Haven’t sorted your pool since closing it down for the Winter? Our previous article includes a checklist on everything required to reopen your pool for the Spring.
Get in touch with our team today for any of your pool needs, whether that is for repairs, maintenance, chemicals or any other issues! Our staff attend callouts across the midlands and have specialist knowledge of the industry to deliver the services you need.
