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WHAT'S NEW
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Ab workout in the water
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No neck pain or back strain -- turn your next swim session into a tummy-toning water workout.
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By Michele Drake
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Summer is a time for fun, sun, and revealing clothes. So jump in, the water's great. You'll sculpt your abs every time you cool off for relief from the summer heat.
Water training is not just for a geriatric population, or a medium for rehabilitation of injuries (although it's wonderful for those areas as well). Cross training with the water can be challenging, invigorating and rewarding. The bonus is that the water gently massages the muscles as they work and the 'DOMS' - Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness that you encounter with weight training exercises will normally be minimal with water. This does not mean you haven't worked as hard - you just get to laugh without discomfort (of sore abdominal muscles) for the rest of the week.
Target your tummy
Be sure to focus on the area you are trying to target to activate the muscles you want worked. It is proven that concentrating on the muscles you are trying to work increases their workload up to 30 per cent.
With the help of Julie Twynham of Bodycheck Inc., a company that promotes and teaches the WaterArt ® Fitness training and certification programs, we'll show you some awesome ab routines to get you through the summer. I'll throw in my favourites, as well. So look forward to targeting the tummy without the neck strain or back pain that you may encounter on land.
Remember, there should be no neck action for good abdominal work. With these exercises, you'll never need to perform a crunch again.
Click here for exercises.
Michele Drake is a Toronto-based fitness consultant. She is certified with a long list of associations including the Canadian Personal Trainers Network, CanFitPro and the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology. She is also the founder and creator of a pre and postnatal fitness regime Healthy Me, Healthy You.
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