Bathtub Exercises

Bathtub

Your time may be limited on certain days, leaving you searching for a way to get in short workouts. As you go through your day, one room of your home that you will visit most often is the bathroom. That's where you'll find a non-traditional workout tool: the bathtub.

Strength

Without getting into the tub, you can perform strength training exercises on the edge. These do not take a lot of time--fit them in between brushing your teeth and washing your face. Do eight to 10 push-ups with your hands on the side of the tub and your legs extended behind you or with your knees on the floor. You can also strengthen your arms by performing a dip. A dip begins with you sitting on the side of the tub and placing your hands next to your hips. Perform the dip by bending your knees and moving your hips off the tub; then bend your elbows, lowering your hips toward the floor. Straighten your arms to return to the starting position. You should feel the strengthening in the backs of your upper arms.

Stretch

Stretch your legs by placing one foot on the edge of the bathtub and the other foot on a nonslip mat. Perform the stretch by straightening the leg on the tub and folding your body forward, bringing your chest toward your leg. Hold this stretch for 30 to 60 seconds to increase your flexibility.

Core

In the bathtub, either with a small amount of water or resting on a bathmat, you can do crunches to strengthen your core. Place your feet on the wall and lie on your back with your face above water. Cross your arms over your chest and tighten your stomach as you lift your shoulders and chest out of the water. Repeat this crunch eight to 10 times for two or three sets.

Flexibility

In warm water, your muscles relax, so you have the opportunity to increase flexibility. A forward fold is a leg and lower back stretch that can take place in the bathtub. Perform this stretch by inhaling and sitting tall with your legs straight out in the water; then exhale and fold forward from the hips to bring your chest toward your legs, leaving your face out of the water. Hold the stretch for five to 10 deep breaths.

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