Did you make fitness resolutions for the new year? If so, what better way to make your resolutions than using your swim spa? Swim spas provide customizable resistance, allowing you to strengthen both your cardiovascular system and your muscles. But what sort of exercises should you try?

Squats

Does the idea of doing squats in the water seem strange to you? Sure, it’s not where most people choose to do this exercise, but it’s a great way to change things up a bit. Squats work your core, glutes, and quadriceps. Doing them in the water adds a level of challenge. It can change your balance, especially if you’ve turned the current on. You’ll have to be more precise and pay close attention to your body, making micro-adjustments as needed to avoid losing your balance.

Torso Twists

Work on your spinal mobility, core, and balance with torso twists in your swim spa. To do a torso twist, place your feet shoulder-width apart and cross your arms over your chest. Engage your abdominals and use your core muscles to twist to the left and right in a slow, controlled manner. Coordinate your movement and your breath for the best results. If you want an additional challenge, turn on your swim spa’s current. The current moving against your body will force you to stabilize better, using more muscle groups and increasing the intensity of your workout.

Lower Ab Crunches

If you want more direct core work, try doing lower ab crunches in your swim spa. Start in a seated position, on one of the seats in the swim spa, with your arms down at your sides, hands resting on the bottom of the seat, and your legs in front of you. Use your abdominal muscles to bring your knees to your chest and then extend your legs in front of you in a slow, controlled manner. Bring your legs back in before extending them out again. Breathe with your movement, inhaling when you bring your legs in and exhaling when you extend them. The water’s gentle resistance will change how this exercise feels, allowing you to connect with your body differently.

Swimming is an obvious exercise choice for swim spa owners. You aren’t limited to just swimming, however. There are a ton of great exercises you can do using your swim spa, whether your goal is to improve your cardiovascular fitness, balance, muscle tone, or a combination of things. Create your fitness routine using your swim spa and start 2023 off strong.

Are you looking for more? Click here for other great swim spa exercise recommendations from Sonoma Backyard today!