Fit and Well: Workout in the Water

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — During the summer, you can move your daily workout indoors. But there are many ways to exercise outdoors while still beating the heat.

That is the focus of this week’s Fit and Well Idaho report.

There are plenty of water activities that can also count as a workout. In Twin Falls, Centennial Park offers a wide variety.

Options include kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, boating and fishing.

Remembering to keep yourself hydrated even if you are in the water is also essential.

“Hydration is so important because the environment can be really tricky and hydration can sneak up on us,” said Monique Middlekauff, who works for St. Luke’s Lifestyle Medicine. “So, if you’re in the water or using some recreational activities around the water, it’s important that we’re staying on top of our hydration, drinking water consistently, keeping that water close by can make a difference.”

You might also want to consider exercises that involve direct contact with water, which experts say is beneficial to our bodies.

“Water has a wonderful ability to be that buoyant environment to allow our muscles, tendons and joints to maybe feel less pain and to be a bit more supportive in the water,” Middlekauff said. “But it also provides a really great resistance that can help improve the endurance of our muscles and also improve the health of our heart.”

Remember to be smart in the sun and wear sunscreen and a hat.

There are also ways to keep yourself cool, such as using portable fans and putting ice in your water.

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