Re: The pool as the new gym (water workouts)

[Guest guest]

I have been working out in deep water for three months and feel much

better. I began in an adaptive course in an exercise pool but I

couldn't tolerate the repetitive pounding on the bottom of the pool.

I moved to a deep water course and only exercise where my feet (and

dangling big toes!) don't touch the bottom. The class is one hour a

day, three times a week.

On one day, we swim laps for 15 minutes. I don't have the stamina to

work aggressively so I just paddle around on my back (Most

participants wear flotation belts -- I use the extra large lard ass

version)and keep moving in the slow lane.

On another day, the class dons swim fins and, using kickboards,

flutter kick away. With footdrop and weakened leg muscles, I knew I

couldn't use fins so I tried to do the same backstroke exercise as

stated above. I found my legs became overtired swimming laps twice a

week. I changed my routine to just use my arms to move while others

use fins.

I feel so free in the water, a feeling I use to feel driving my

tractor. My hips move in ways they haven't in years, and my overall

muscle tones os much better.

The exercising hasn't increased the duration of " good time " any, but

within my " good time " I am much stronger. I also have all around

better balance, a skill that helps we deal with the perfecta of CMT

and Meniere's disease

I think everyone should try some water based exercise. I began with

four weeks of PT supervised work that gave me to confidence to join

the YMCA and take classes.

--Larry

[Guest guest]

Way to go Larry! Did you know that long distance swimmers hardly kick their

legs? I do a lot of swimming now and hardly kick - it is great for my

cardiovascular work and also my arms. I was feeling weaker in the arms and

the swimming really helps.

Good luck with it all,

Donna from London

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[Guest guest]

Donna from London wrote: " Did you know that long distance swimmers hardly kick

their legs? I do a lot of swimming now and hardly kick - it is great for my

cardiovascular work and also my arms. "

Donna, You are correct. My experience with distance swimming is that kicking is

less about propulsion and more to keep the body horizontal in the water, a more

streamlined posture that allows you to go faster through the water.

O