Fitness

pilates workout for spring and summer

Pilates At The Pool

Why at the pool? It lets you move in three dimensions instead of two, explains Rebecca Pfeiffer, a certified Pilates instructor. "This gives your core and waist a deeper workout than you get on land," Pfeiffer says. While traditional aqua exercises use the water's buoyancy to make exercises easier, Poolates takes advantage of water's resistance for an extra challenge. "You engage all your major muscles to stay balanced, so each move works your entire body, not just the part you're targeting."

So grab a swimsuit and get out there.

50:50

Works shoulders, triceps, chest, back, abs, waist, hamstrings, and inner and outer thighs

Standing in chest-deep water at the shallow end of the pool, extend your arms down along the sides of your body with your palms facing behind you. Keep your left leg straight and lift it back so your toes are 15 to 30 centimetres from the pool bottom. With your chest up, abs braced, and neck in line with your spine, inhale for five counts while quickly pumping your arms forward (A) and back (B), a few centimetres in each direction, without bending your elbows. Continue pumping as you exhale for five seconds. That's one rep. Do five. Repeat on the other leg.