[andreaphilip3]

does anyone here use pool barbells? if so, do you like them and how do they give off resistance? im looking at these:

http://www.waterworkout.com/products.amp?product=afbb2
and am wondering if they are worth it. i have 2 water belts already&today i ordered ankleA&hand weights and dumbells you fill w water. i also found a water treadmill(wish i could use it id buy it....it was 1000$ though!)

[shanonbug]

I have used them in water arobics classes. The resistance is good. Really really good for triceps (maybe I am just super week there I dunno). They might have cheaper ones somewhere I am not sure. Our gym supplies them. Good Luck I think you will like them. It is a good addition to a water workout.

*I need to change my signature now that I am pregnant* MOre info to come.

[MistySeptember]

I taught water aerobics in highschool and college and for really good, but really cheap resistence we used empty milk jugs, They work REALLY well and you can also use them for a awesome ab workout! They offer ALOT of resistence, they can be slightly cumbersome. But one lady had specialized pool dumbells, but in teh end preferred the jugs. I taught a the YMCA as well as a local summer rec program and we kept piles of milk jugs for people to use during my class. I also taught a step aerobics program in the water breifly.

[Misti in Seattle]

Thanks for the information about the weights... I have been looking for some but not found them; guess I will have to check at a special sports store as other places don't carry them. Interesting about the milk jugs... I may have to buy some milk in plastic jugs! LOL... but hmmmmmmm just occurred to me that Fresh Start plastic laundry bottles might work and I have several of those.

I have also found that a frisbee makes a great water exercise tool. I hold it out in front of me with both hands on it and do water exercises... increases the pull. And I really love my big round hollow plastic 20" ball... can bounce all over the place and jump high on it.

[andreaphilip3]

wow thanks you guys!!! i never woulda thought that! what did you use? qt size? 1/2 g? 1 g? maybe i will use the milk idea and just have theones i ordered where you fill em w water cuz at least that i can see working but i cant see foam giving resistance.

also, do any of you gals have experience with this?:

http://www.nefitco.com/AP_weightbelt10.html

[MistySeptember]

We used 1 gallon milk jugs. Cheap, disposable and though you want them clean of course there is no chance of residue hurting the pool chemical levels as there would be with soaps. Though soap bottles will work, as well as bleach bottles and they are sturdier than milk jugs, but I find the handles less cormfortable. You can adjust the resistence of the bottles by addingw ater for less resistence. Ideally you need identical bottles.

Some exercises we did:
Take one in each hand and push the straight down your sides
Put you hands in front of you and press them down
Squat in the water so it's chin level and do bicep curls under the water
Tricepkick backs kind of the same way under water
There we lots more but I can't remember

For the abs
Put one in each had with your arms out to each side so you can float on your back with your legs extendedstriaght out. Tuck your legscurl forward and pivot on your arms so you are now floating on your stomach with you legs stretched behind you. Then reverse

In the same starting position kind of float on you back with you head up so you can see your toes and open and close your legs...great for legs and abs.

The trick with the abs is to focus on those muscles and don't allow you momentum to move you, you really have to concentrate on what muscles you want moving you..alot like pilates.

Andrea I sent you a PM about the weighted belts. Ideally they are to be used in pools with no deep area. I can see how they may bennefit instructors. When I taught swimming I had to run back and forth with my kids and your natural bouyancy keeps you kind of bobbing, with a weighted belt like that it would have been easier to remain stable in the water.

If you are water walking in a variable depth pool I recommend something like this :http://www.kiefer.com/Kiefer/product...2E064DFAE5176E

Also for resistence many woman at the pool where I worked at used these http://www.kiefer.com/Kiefer/product...2E064DFAE5176E I needed far more resitence than they allowed, but if you are just starting out they may be helpful.

[andreaphilip3]

you rock misty! thanks so much!!! i think i may ixne' the weight belt unless someone shows me its benefit to shallow water.
thanks for the exercises!!
i do have regular aqua belts so im ok w that.

[andreaphilip3]

now all i gotta do is get back op asap!!! i think itll need to wait til july 8 tho bc ive got comp. still.

[andreaphilip3]

its my understanding that aqua belts dont provide resistance....right? ive got the classic AJ and one from wet vest(same thing i just wear both so i get more boyancy)
if you use something you think is better do tell!

[MistySeptember]

No I don't think the bouyancy types provide resistence, you'll get a very small amount b/c they are not that aquadynamic, but not a great deal. They are just designed to allow you to run in the water. I can't recommend one kind over another really.

The weighted belt may provide some added resistence simlar to wearing one on land probably and added traction to keep you planted on the floor better.

SOme great ways to mix up your walking and add to your workout is walking sideways and backwards. When you do it side way do a small sqaut between steps. Do add another aerobic elemant you can do punches above the water at chest level and above you head. I always felt silly doing this though unless it was part of my class.

I had to stop looking at the Kiefer site, it made me long for a pool LOL.

[andreaphilip3]

wow! thank you so much!
in the summer i mostly work out in 8 ft but in fall/winter, i walk in a totally shallow pool so may revisit the weight belt thingg again cuz it would fit in nicely i think. thanks for the side walking idea!
do u have an indoor pool or gym or something? i wish like heck i was able to do treadmills cuz they have self propelled ones for water!

[andreaphilip3]

just went and read print out of your post...those ab moves rock!!! i actually already use the aqua belt to position myself while i do the reverse crunches and i do the leg thing also. hopefully that wt belt is worth it cause i bit the bullet and bought it cause i figure ill be swimming indoor if it rains where its shallow. think i will start w 5-10 lbs though. cancelled the all pro order for 10 lbs bought the expensive one w 30 so the least i can start w is 5