Steven Morgan
Maximum Athletic Performance
Many athletes train in water for various reasons, including injury prevention, improved flexibility, and cross-training. Water workouts can be done anywhere with enough water, such as a pool, lake, or hotel. Different depths of water can be used for different purposes:
Deep water: Good for cardio work
Chest-deep water: Good for interval and power workouts, as well as plyometrics
Here are some exercises that athletes can do in the water:
Water walking or jogging: Can be done forward, backward, or sideways
Water bicycle: Leans back against the edge of the pool with arms extended and pedals legs in a bicycle motion to tone abs and legs
Underwater treadmill running: Combines resistance training with water's natural drag to strengthen muscles, especially those not used on land.
Other benefits of training in water include:
Lower impact: Easier on joints and less stressful than land training
Increased cardiovascular conditioning: Swimming provides a total-body workout that develops strength and cardiovascular fitness
More resistance: Water's natural drag provides resistance to push against, which strengthens muscles
SUMMARY:
Aquatic exercise is a great option for cross-training. Working out in water is lower-impact than dry-land exercise, so it's easier on your ankles, knees, hips, and back. In the water, you can do anything that you can do on dry land, including running, cycling, and rowing.
Comments