Keeping yourself 'water tight'

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This morning as I was paddling out through the surf, I was thinking how fortunate we are as a country to be able to enjoy so many water sports during our summer months. I don't go too many days at the moment without dipping my toes in the water. I asked myself the question...(yes I often talk to myself) What could be a better way to stay cool than to include water fitness this time of the year?? Win, win, all round.

Water has great workout benefits: one of it's best is resistance power: you can work opposing muscles at the same time.  For example kicking with a kick board or water aerobics.  Another plus is its buoyancy.  It reduces your weight (bliss) therefore putting significant less stress on your joints, bones and muscles and this is music to your ears if you suffer from injuries. 

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Water fitness requires use of your core as well - that bit in the middle that tends to get neglected as we get older, and with other forms of exercise. 

There are so many 'cool' ways to stay fit in the water.  Most obviously would be to swim laps at your local pool.  Aim to build up your workout to be at least 30-40 mins, then alter your sessions to include something like 15x100m on  1.30min (or a time that leaves you breathless).

Kicking with a kick board is one of THE best butt and thigh workouts.  Once you have mastered the technique of keeping your hips high and actually going forward, again add in sets working off the clock.  Add fins for to work a whole new group of muscles.

Deep water running is always something athletes can do if an injury rears its ugly head, but can also be something you can do in your own backyard pool. Pop yourself in a buoyancy vest or stick a noodle under your armpits and run on the spot in the deeper water. Wear a watch and do intervals of 1 minute hard, 30 seconds easy for 20-30mins.   Get in the pool while the kids are playing and kill two birds with one stone...no excuses!!;)

Additionally, away from the pool you can get in the water with surfing, windsurfing, kayaking and doing cross training.

Even though you may be kept cool in the water, remember to warm up and stretch before working out and keep the fluids up (water, not Christmas cheer preferably) it can be deceiving as to the amount you lose in sweat.

Working out in the water is easy but for obvious reasons it should never be done alone.  Once summer ends, you don't have to stop including water fitness as part of your routine.  Find an indoor pool, or wear a wetsuit and keep it up.  Most of all have fun and enjoy the 'spiritual bath' that water gives and it's abilities to wash away our stresses of the day.