During the winter, many people use indoor in-ground pools to work out. These temperature-controlled environments provide the perfect places to work toward your fitness goals. Here are three ways to increase your heart rate and build muscle tone while swimming.

How to Work Out in an In-ground Pool

1. Full Body Curl

Stand on the shallow part of the pool and sit back until you’re floating. Hold your knees together while treading water with your arms. Next, curl your knees into your chest while squeezing your elbows into the sides and placing your hands on your knees.

Focus on engaging the core muscles by squeezing your abs. Then, open your arms out to the sides to tread water while uncurling the knees so your legs are straight without touching the bottom of the in-ground pool. Repeat this motion 20 times. 

2. Jumping Jacks

Doing jumping jacks in the pool makes it easier to do more because the water lowers gravity and reduces joint stress. Stand in the pool with your arms at your sides and the water depth reaching the pelvis. Raise your arms above your head while simultaneously jumping up and spreading your legs to stand in a V-shape.

To make use of the resistance of the water, move deeper into the pool so your arms have to travel through more liquid on the way up. Be careful not to go deeper than neck-depth to remain comfortable and provide room to jump without submerging your head. Do several sets of 10-repetitions and add ankle and wrist weights if you want to build more muscle.

3. Leg Kicks

Hold onto the edge of the pool, and float with your stomach facing down and your hands or arms resting on the edge. To work the thighs and calves, kick your legs as if you’re trying to get somewhere. Do this for a few minutes before resting and repeating. Add ankle weights or scissor-kick your legs into V-shapes to make this exercise more challenging.

If you’re a homeowner looking to install an in-ground pool or get maintenance help, contact The Pool Guys in Lincoln County, MO. Their team has 30 years of experience offering hot tub installation, pool design, and maintenance services for year-round fun. Call the Troy-area company at (636) 462-7665 or visit the website for more information on their services.