Dive in for Your Health

During the summer, there is no better way to spend hot days than taking a dip in the pool. Along with being a great way to cool off, there are also numerous health benefits to swimming. We at Crestwood Manor have found the major benefits of swimming for seniors and offer a few simple pool exercises for you to try out the next time you dive in.

Benefits of Swimming for Seniors

• Low-Impact Exercise: Swimming is not weight-bearing, meaning it does not stress your back, hips, and knees. Yet, swimming proves effective in producing a full-body workout that increases muscle strength and tone.
• Enhance Heart Health: Aerobic exercise makes your heart beat faster than usual, thus improving your heart function and blood flow and decreasing your risk of developing heart disease.
• Improved Breathing: During many exercises, your breath tends to be shallow and you exhale forcefully. David Tanner, a research associate at Indiana University, notes that “It’s the other way around with swimming. You breathe in quickly and deeply, and then let the air trickle out.” This improved method of breathing during physical activity improves the strength of your respiratory muscles.
• Boosts Mental Health: Swimming gives a relaxing, meditative effect, resulting in a stress-relieving activity that benefits your mental health. The soothing water allows your mind to drift off while you’re focused on your breathing and movements.

Three Effective Pool Exercises for Seniors

1. Pool Jogging: Incorporating jogging in your pool time is a perfect low-impact aerobic exercise to get your heart rate up and keep it pumping. This can be as simple as jogging through the water from one side of the pool to the other.
2. Leg Lifts: Leg lifts work all the muscles in the legs, and the resistance of the water increases impact. Leg lifts also improve balance and strengthens your core. For this exercise, stand in the pool and lift one leg out to the side and back down, alternating legs.
3. Standing Water Push-Ups: Water push-ups build arm, chest and shoulder strength without putting too much pressure on your joints. Stand along the side of the pool and place your hands a little wider than shoulder-width apart on the edge of the pool; bend your arms and lead in towards the wall, then push back out.

Learn How You Can Incorporate Swimming into Your Routine at Crestwood Manor

Swimming is undoubtedly one of the best exercises for older adults, and at Crestwood Manor, you have the convenience of an onsite, heated, indoor swimming pool to enhance your physical health. Residents Howard and Jean Bartelt recognize the benefits of the pool and share, “We know it’s good to get out there and exercise, and we use the gym regularly and enjoy swimming in the pool.” Our residents love engaging classes, including Aqua Aerobics and Pool Arthritis, or just taking a dip and swimming laps, all without ever stepping foot off our campus.

Contact us today to learn more and schedule your personal tour.