What is Pool Running and How Will This Exercise Benefit Me?

Pool running is a type of exercise that may actually do more for you than jogging along the road or even around a track. Pool running is exactly what it sounds like: running in place inside a pool so that the water provides an element of force against you that is much more helpful at building stamina and strength than mere gravity outside the pool can ever hope to be.

The benefits of pool running as your go-to method of exercising can potentially be enormous. The resistance of working against the water means using your muscles in a way that you may never have before when doing aerobic exercises. That force of water provides an isokinetic element that you can't get from jogging along the road. What does isokinetic element mean? It means that resistance from the water increases in a direct ratio to the strength you place against it. What does that mean? The harder you run, the more the water resists your force, thus providing even more strengthening benefits. For some, the greatest benefit possible from pool running may be that it is low impact. Those ankles, knees, thighs and other parts of the body that ache after a jogging session are all subject to far less intensive damage and pain when you run inside a pool. In fact, if you are recovering from a jogging injury and can't get outside to the street or sidewalk, you should consider pool jogging as a means for recovery.

Pool running is also a good option for those suffering from arthritis. The benefits accorded the human body from the isokinetic principles of pool running includes increasing your flexibility. The more force you place against the water, the greater the increase in the strength of your joints and the more flexible your body becomes.

Learning how to pool run to the gain the greatest benefit requires certain knowledge beforehand and then practice afterward. For instance, where do you think you'll gain the most benefit from pool running: in shallow water or in deeper water? Keeping in mind that pool jogging is a low impact exercise option; you want to go into the deep end of the pool. In fact, head to the deepest part of the pool you feel comfortable in when you extended toes are no longer able to touch the bottom surface. Pool running does not mean running in place in the shallow end of the pool. You want to essentially be floating on the surface in a way that allows you to use your legs in a running motion that doesn't allow you to bend at the knees. Keep your toes in ballet shape by pointing them down toward the bottom of the pool. Stretch your arms out straight and proceed to move them in a swinging motion along the sides of your body, keeping them in concert with the movement of your legs.

Those are the basic rules of pool swimming. You will also need to make sure you keep your upper body and head straight and in alignment to achieve the fullest benefit. As for the duration of the exercise, start off slow and continually build up to a duration that you can stand without getting completely exhausted. The water, even a pool, is no place to become exhausted so if you do feel yourself starting to give in to the lethargy of overexercising, do yourself a solid and get out of the pool.