Swimming Pool Exercises Using An Aqua Noodle

An aqua noodle is a source of endless fun for your children playing in the pool. When your children are not using the noodles, borrow one and use it as an exercise tool. Exercising in the water gives you the opportunity to stay cool while you tone your muscles and burn calories. Incorporate pool noodles into your swimming workout one or two sessions a week.

Sit On The Noodle

Hold your noodle while you swim to the deep end of the pool. Put the noodle under your buttocks and center your body on the noodle. The website LymphNotes.com states you should feel like you are sitting on a swing seat. Use your abdominal muscles to bring your knees up to your chest. Hold for two seconds and push your feet through the water, straightening your legs. Hold and balance yourself on the noodle and repeat. This exercise works your upper and lower abdominal muscles, your upper thigh muscles and helps your balance.

Thigh Exercises

Francine Milford, author of the book "H2O Workouts: Using Your Pool Noodle," recommends working your thighs by standing in the shallow end of the pool with your noodle behind you. Grab both ends of the noodle with your hands and lean back so your upper body is supported by the noodle and your lower body is floating. Hold your legs together and slowly push them apart as far as is comfortable. Hold your legs apart for two seconds and bring them back to the starting position. Vary the exercise by laying forward on the noodle and opening and closing your legs to work your hamstrings.

Noodle Push

Your arm muscles will look more toned and defined when you exercise your biceps and triceps. Featured in the St. Petersburg Times by writer Sally Anderson, the Noodle Push is an aerobic and strength-building exercise. Stand in the shallow end and hold your noodle straight out in front of your body with your arms fully extended. Walk, march or run. Once you have your balance and rhythm, pull the noodle towards your body, then push the noodle away from your body. Repeat to the front and then push the noodle to the left and right as you move your feet.

Knee Lifts

Tone your quads, hamstrings and calf muscles by doing a variation on a knee lift. The Ohio State University Medical Center recommends holding onto the side of the pool when performing this exercise. Stand in the shallow end and put one hand on the pool edge and the noodle under your left foot. Focus on your balance and posture as you hold the noodle on the pool floor with your foot. Slowly lift your left foot until your upper thigh is parallel to the surface of the water. Hold and push the noodle back down. Repeat with your right foot.