Do you love to swim but are bored of doing laps? Swimming is often preferred for the ease and comfort it provides the injured, pregnant, or overweight. It’s also a very relaxing and well-rounded workout for those that are robust and able-bodied. Often times though, swimming back and forth in a pool can become monotonous. If you like spending time in the water but are looking for new ways to enhance your experience, here are some ideas to consider:
Water Aerobics
Aerobics is an excellent way to get cardio training and tone your muscles; adding the element of water enhances your results. You will notice while you’re swimming that the water has a certain degree of resistance. This resistance multiplies the benefits received from aerobic exercise alone, burning almost twice as many calories. Additionally, being in water reduces your body’s weight on itself, and protects it from harsh impact. These factors make water aerobics an excellent way to workout, allowing you to do more with less strain on your body. Most aerobic techniques can be done underwater, opening up a myriad of options aside from basic lap swimming.
Water Sports
Swimming itself can become repetitive after some time; try water sports that allow you to interact with a team in competitive games. There are several sports played in water that you can choose from:
Water Polo
is one of the more popular water sports available today. In water polo, there are two goalies and players tread water to shoot a ball into the opponent’s goal. This sport is similar to handball or soccer, but its setting in a water environment gives it a completely different feel and challenge.
Waboba
is a rather new water sport, involving a “Waboba” ball that is able to bounce on the water’s surface, much in the same way a rubber ball would bounce on cement. Waboba is typically played in waist-deep water and the objective is to bounce the ball to team members without it being intercepted by your opponent.
Synchronized Swimming, also abbreviated as “Synchro”, has evolved from the days of camp flower caps to a legitimate and competitive Olympics sport. Known as the “ballet” of water, Synchro will give you all the benefits of a physical water workout, but it is also a form of art designed to be aesthetically pleasing.
Competitive Swimming
Joining a competitive swimming team will add more excitement to your routine. While swimming alone can be quite relaxing, joining a team will motivate you to polish your skills. Attending tournaments and competing against other swimmers will make your fitness more engaging. If you look at local pools’ website you can often find adult and children’s swim clubs that will allow you to engage in this activity.
With rhythmic strokes and cool water, swimming is known to be one of the most tranquil ways to stay in shape. For those who are looking for more excitement and competition, trying a few of these suggestions will definitely take your swimming to the next level.
Author Bio:
Brett Callan is an instructor for Murray Callan, where their San Diego swim lessons and Escondido swim lessons offer customized support for children throughout San Diego. He loves to enjoy the San Diego weather whenever he can, whether from the beach or at a pool.