Intensify Your Water Workout

Medical Update, March, 2001

Swimmers and water aerobics exercisers in the newly enclosed Fitness Farm pool in Indianapolis report good results with the use of flexible plastic paddles (above left). Called Strokemakers, these devices are designed to increase muscle strength and improve stroke efficiency.

Tubing is laced through holes in the centers of the paddles to maintain correct hand placement. A flow-through design improves feel for the water. Several sizes are available; the manufacturer recommends smaller paddles for butterfly, breaststroke, and backstroke swimming, as opposed to freestyle.

Wearing an AquaJogger buoyancy belt and AquaRunners (above right) during a water workout also helps build strength, increase tone, reduce weight, and aid recovery from illness or injury. Triangular-shaped DeltaBells (dumbbells) made of buoyant foam add diversity to a low-impact workout. Women participating in a weight-control study at the Fitness Farm lost 4.5 to 20.25 pounds after using these water-exercise products five days a week for six weeks.