How to Do Abdominal Exercises in a Pool

Want firmer abs and a tighter stomach? Fancy the life aquatic? Doing abdominal exercises in the pool use the fun of swimming to combat the tedium of crunches and traditional abdominal workout routines. What's more, health experts suggest that the gentle resistance of the water helps reduce the chance of unnecessary strain.

Things You'll Need

• Pool
• Kickboard or wakeboard (optional)
• Pool noodle (optional)

Tips For You

1. Do leg lifts. Turn your back to the wall of the pool in deep water, and rest your elbows on the edge. Starting with your feet dangling straight down, but not touching the body, bring your feet to the surface while keeping your legs straight and your knees locked.
2. Do the jump and dig. A two-part exercise, the jump and dig works both the abs and the lateral obliques. Standing in water that is just above waist level, bend your knees and spread your legs. Cup your hands below the surface just in front of one hip. As you jump so your knees just barely come up above the water, bring your cupped hands up to the surface and towards the opposite shoulders. Repeat for three minutes or as desired, alternating the direction of the scooping motion.
3. Do the walk of life. Walking in a pool works the lower body, including the abdominals. Exaggerate the motion by bringing your knees to your chest while tightening your abs. This enhances and focuses the exercise. In deeper water, doing leg lifts while remaining stationary is also an effective abdominal exercise.
4. Use a kickboard. A small board can be used for several ab exercises. Leaning your chest on the kickboard, lift your knees to the kickboard, simulating a reverse sit-up or crunch. Alternatively, lying your back on the board, kick your foot to produce motion.
5. Use your noodle. Pool noodles are a great exercise tool. They require balance, so using the noodle for a pool ab workout can take some practice.
6. Straddle the noodle with about half of its length behind you and the rest pinched by your knees. Keeping your back straight, bring your knees towards your chest, using the buoyancy of the noodle to keep you afloat and your balance to keep from tipping to one side.
7. Tread water. Though treading water works the legs and arms in addition to the abs, it is a great total-body conditioning workout that will improve the abs. Aim to tread water for 5 to 10 minutes.