Deep water running is excellent exercise, both just as an exercise and as a training regimen for keeping fit and for competing in long runs.
Not that many people have heard about deep water running, but proponents of it say that it is an excellent training tool.
Deep water running is easy to do, although it may not be everyone’s cup of tea as an exercise regimen, many preferring to run out in the country.
Deep Water Running
Running in water provides one with added resistance because the viscosity of water makes it harder to move out of the way than air does. This allows one to boost the intensity of the workout quite easily.
Deep water runners often use a buoyancy or flotation device, especially in the beginning, as they say that it helps prevent one from leaning in the water, leaving you free to focus on getting your heart-rate up instead of on staying upright.
Connecting a tether to the flotation device and the side of the pool allows one to anchor oneself to a fixed position, thereby greatly increasing the resistance. This should only be tried once you are an experienced deep water runner though.
There are a few important techniques to remember if you intend doing deep water running in your own pool at home without professional assistance:
1. You need to stay tall in the water, keeping your body straight;
2. Pull your knees up all the way to hip height and slightly point your toes;
3. Keep your arms bent at about 90 degrees and swing them from the shoulder; and
4. Keep your palms closed or turned inward so that you slice through the water and do not cup it.
Benefits of Deep Water Running
The buoyancy of the water during any kind of aquatic exercise reduces the impact on your body by as much as 90%, allowing you to get a really good workout without adding stress to your joints, bones and tissues. This means less injuries and the load on your heart is also decreased, which allow you to train for longer periods than normal.
While exercising in water, the water is pushing you evenly from all sides; this is called hydrostatic pressure. It helps intensify your workout, giving the muscles connected to your rib cage more of an intense workout as you breathe.
Older people, pregnant women and cardiac patients will all find great benefit in deep water running as exercise, as will those recovering from injuries, and individuals suffering from lower back pain.
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