Fun in the pool

As the summer winds down, soon it will be time to pack those swimsuits away!  Before that happens, try out some strengthening exercises in the pool. 

Benefits include:

• working with the natural resistance of the water 
• decrease in pain or strain on the joints (great for anyone with arthritis or achy joints)
• injury prevention and aids in recovery 

ARTHUR inquired about ideas for in the pool... so, here are some of my favorites for you to try out:

• Triceps lifts and dips 
• For cardio -- if you don't like swimming laps, try walking or running in shoulder deep water!
• Resistance exercises from your normal routine. Do them under water for resistance: 
• biceps curls 
• leg extension (kick behind you) for the glutes 
• adductors and abductors (keeping the legs parallel and lifting to the side then closing back down to the midline)   
• torso rotation for the obliques

Get creative and explore!  Remember -- it will feel differently in the water and your balancing center will be impacted without the normal sense of gravity we are used to. 

So just like Michael Phelps lifts weights to increase his speed in the water, it's important for dancers and other athletes to cross train in various ways.  Next time, try the pool!