Water sports boost fitness, mental outlook

Anyone who has ever swam a long distance or spent a day surfing knows that water sports provide some of the most taxing workouts you can imagine. But, fortunately, they're also some of the most enjoyable!

The Sun News: If you're looking for an exhilarating, refreshing and beneficial workout, consider trying an aquatic activity in one of the Grand Strand's many watery amenities.

With the rolling ocean and its tranquil inlet waters on one side, the tea-colored Intracoastal Waterway and rivers meandering through its midsection and the hundreds of crystal clear swimming pools dotting its landscape, there are plenty of places to get in some water exercise.

Surfing, kayaking, canoeing, swimming and water aerobics are a few ways to get the body in motion and promote good mental health, the experts say.

"It's very peaceful and beautiful just past the breakers," said Jon Gibson, director of Conway Medical Center's Wellness and Fitness Center and a surfer and kayaker. "[Activities such as surfing and kayaking] can be therapeutic and physical."

Water exercise is an all-around, good low-impact activity that can encompass all aspects of fitness, including cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, flexibility and endurance, Gibson said.

Here are a few ideas that allow you a good workout while you also enjoy the scenery:

Swimming

What it does for the body | Ideal for people with arthritis or other joint and back problems, swimming offers a total body workout with very little impact. For those new to swimming, expect to feel a slight impact, Gibson said.

"You're using muscles you don't typically use," he said. "You have to build on that."

The main benefits, provided by www.pushplay.org.nz, include stimulating circulation to help the heart perform more efficiently; increasing muscle strength as a result of the resistance water provides; improving flexibility; and burning fat.

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