| The dog days of summer are here! The sun is | | | | throughout your movements to stabilize your body |
| beaming and the heat rays are scorching. But that | | | | against the fluid flow. You can add even more |
| does not have to put a damper on your workout. | | | | resistance with some of the newest gadgets on the |
| Make a splash this summer with workouts in the | | | | market. Webbed gloves and hand buoys (water |
| water. | | | | friendly barbells) add resistance for upper-body |
| Water is an ideal medium for exercise. It has been | | | | movements. |
| used for decades by sports physiologists and physical | | | | Skim the Top: Do not neglect the variety of options for |
| therapists. That is because water workouts place no | | | | fitness on top of the water this summer. Rowing, |
| stress on the joints. People with arthritis, bone | | | | canoeing, and kayaking can burn anywhere from |
| fractures, and other injuries can exercise and even | | | | 200-500 calories per hour. Rowboats can tip more |
| recover more quickly in the water. Water also | | | | easily than canoes or kayaks, so you may want to |
| produces its own resistance, so performing a | | | | start with one of the latter. Try your hand with the |
| movement in water expends more energy than | | | | paddles on calm water before venturing out to the |
| performing that same movement on land. | | | | rapids. |
| Ready to suit-up? Grab your goggles and check out | | | | No matter what aquatic fitness regimen you choose, |
| one of these water workouts this summer: | | | | always keep safety in mind. Judi Sheppard Missett, |
| Water Running: Running full throttle in waist deep | | | | founder and CEO of Jazzercise, Inc, offers these five |
| water is a sure fire way to blast calories this summer. | | | | tips to safely make a splash this summer. |
| Burn up to 15 calories per minute while sprinting through | | | | 1. Bring a non breakable water bottle with you. Just |
| the water. Meanwhile, deep water endurance running | | | | because you are in the water does not mean that |
| can help you burn up to 12 calories per minute. Deep | | | | your hydration levels will stay up to par. You still sweat |
| water running involves wearing a buoyancy belt, so | | | | in the water, and you need to replenish your fluids. |
| that you can run (remember to run, not bicycle) without | | | | 2. Start slowly. Plan just a few water workouts per |
| your feet touching the bottom. Check into a | | | | week and pay attention to your body. Gradually |
| waterproof MP3 player with waterproof headphones | | | | increase the time and intensity as your body feels |
| to pump-up your water running regimen. | | | | ready. |
| Aquatic Classes: The hottest new classes in gyms | | | | 3. Wear appropriate attire. Consider water shoes, |
| and sports clubs across the country are all wet. Yoga, | | | | which support your foot and keep you from slipping. |
| kickboxing, even cycling in the water! Students flock to | | | | 4. Ask questions. Before signing up for a class, ensure |
| the classes to enjoy the high intensity exercise | | | | that your instructor is trained and certified in aquatic |
| regimen with no impact to the joints. No longer | | | | exercise. |
| relegated to those needing rehabilitation from injuries, | | | | 5. Buddy up. Never go swimming or attempt aquatic |
| water aerobics classes are more popular than ever. | | | | exercises alone in a remote location, particularly a river |
| Resistance Training: Water provides natural resistance | | | | or reservoir where currents and undertows can |
| not found on terra firma. Your core is worked | | | | surprise you. |