Last week we featured the health benefits and prevention tips around drinking water. Useful information, but what about the fun stuff FLIP promises to bring you? For that, you’re going to have to leave the office water cooler and…
Get Wet!
Whether you’re cooling off in the backyard pool, swimming laps in your local lanes, floating a river, taking a dip at the lake, or fighting waves at the beach…… there’s something magical about the water. Water exercise might be the perfect type of fitness. There are countless health benefits, but the best part of the water – you’re not thinking about ‘working out’, you’re just letting loose and having fun. It’s an amazing opportunity to leave your troubles behind, unwind and have just as much fun as any kid. My friends and I plan an annual lake trip and we are convinced that the cool, clear waters of TN can cure anything.
Give it a go!
We challenge everyone to retry swimming this summer. The downside if it you don’t quite take to swimming as a form of fitness – you get wet, cool off, relax and enjoy the water.
The upside: Swimming is an amazing workout for the entire body, improving cardiovascular conditioning, muscle strength, endurance, posture, and flexibility all at the same time.
- Whole body conditioning: Swimming tones your upper and lower body because you’re using almost all of your major muscle groups. (www.lifescript.com)
- Low impact: There is a low risk for swimming injuries because there’s no stress on your bones, joints or connective tissues due to buoyancy and the fact that you weigh 1/10th less in water. (www.lifescript.com)
- Cardiovascular strength: swimming improves your body’s use of oxygen without overworking your heart. (www.lifescript.com)
- Reduce pain: Swimming is often prescribed to patients that experience back problems and pain. Swimming is also an excellent exercise for people that suffer from arthritis because of the support and soft resistance of the water. (www.enjoy-swimming.com)
- It’s great for mental health: Studies have shown swimming improves psychological well being. Female swimmers in particular have been shown to experience significantly less tension, depression and anger after exercising than before. (www.swimming.org)
Where can I swim? The first step is finding a pool that works for you. Here’s a link for pools and schedules around Columbus. For those outside of Buckeye country try swimmer’s guide to find a pool.
FLIP’s Favs!
We’ve put together a list of a few nearby places to swim, paddle and slide!
Local, hidden gem: Hayden Falls may be one of Columbus’ best kept natural secrets. Located just off Hayden Run across the river from Riverside Dr. in Dublin, this urban, yet majestic beauty is a very cool place to visit. Come for the scenic view of the waterfall, or bring your suit and swim in the large pool below the falls. It is hit or miss if it’s crowded or not, especially after work. (During the day you could have the whole place to yourself). http://gowaterfalling.com/waterfalls/hayden.shtml
Ohio’s Rivers: Ohio has a beautiful river system that plays host to a wide variety of water recreation. For a Columbus day trip head to Trapper John’s and paddle the scenic Big Darby Creek. Our other favorite scenic rivers to paddle are the Hocking River, Miami River, Mad River and the Mohican River. And of course it’s hard to beat boating and skiing on the Ohio River beneath the Cincinnati skyline.
Natural Waterslide: A bit further, but well worth the 4 hr drive from Columbus, Ohiopyle is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. Deep in the foothills of PA, there’s an outdoor playground in the form of a quaint little town scattered with rivers, waterfalls, hiking and biking trails. Take duckie or kayak down the calm part of the river, or go on a thrilling white water trip. One of coolest things to do is the natural waterslide at Ohiopyle. A quick blurb about this area doesn’t do it justice…you’ll just have to trust us that is a must do!
Where’s your favorite water spot?
Post a comment below to share your favorite location.
Meadowruns at Ohiopyle: