Get Toned Up and Burn Cals in the Pool

Self Magazine

by Karen Asp



Sure, summer is all about relaxing by the pool and getting some sun (fully protected, of course). But you can put down that trashy romance novel and get a toned up, too! Our cool pool moves burn calories and firm sexy muscles.

All you need is a pool noodle (you know, those little foam toys you loved as a kid!) to do our seven easy firming moves. Or, focus on melting fat with these stealthy (and fun!) cardio sizzlers.

TREAD
You can chat up your girlfriends in the deep end while zapping 11 calories per minute (the equivalent of running more than 6 mph) by treading water. It's pretty simple: Move arms horizontally as you quickly circle legs to stay afloat.

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CLIMB
Mountain climbers are a beast on dry land. When you're weightless in the pool, they feel deceptively simple, even though the resistance from the H2O is upping your burn. Stand in chest-deep water with hands on the pool deck in an incline push-up. Drive right knee to chest, then left, alternating legs as fast as you can.

JUMP
But not off the diving board (the hair!) Stand in chest-deep water with arms floating at sides. Engage abs and quickly pull knees toward chest, then immediately straighten legs and push off pool floor with the balls of your feet to repeat.

SELF'S Expert Pool Panel: Soraya Doherty, a Boston-based aquatic group-fitness professional; Laurie Denomme, creator of the Stretch Fusion aqua workout DVDs; Jayme Zylstra, International Aquatic Fitness presenter for Aquatic Exercise Association

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