Hot & Cool Runnin’ Water Workout (22–32 minutes)
Step 1. Stay Dry! Get Organized If you are using a heart rate monitor, you’ll need to determine your work and recovery heart rate values4,5 (see Figures 1 and 2). Modify the work HRmax in the workout as needed based on your fitness level. Write your target heart rates for work and recovery on the interval grid (see Figure 4 on page 73). Then print the grid, place it in a sealable plas- tic bag, and take it with you to the pool.
At the pool, you’ll need a clock or a buddy coach to time your intervals. Most pools have lap swim clocks on deck or wall clocks with second hands. If no clock is available, you can perform the arm stroke intervals (Figure 3) and still check your heart rates with each set.
Step 2. Get Wet! Form Practice Gear up with water shoes and find a depth where you can control your power walk, jog or run—somewhere around
breastbone level or between navel and midchest. Perform a warm-up walk and/ or jog to adapt to the water. Practice good form for the move you’ll use for the interval sets.
1. Walk: Power walk in shallow water using a heel strike, push off powerful- ly forward, rolling off the toes. Arms and legs work in opposition, arms pulling through the water. Webbed gloves can assist with gripping the water for speed and stability.
2. Run: Jog or run in place, just as you would on land. Form check list:6
□ head and chest erect □ shoulders are pulled down and back
□ eyes look straight ahead
□ knees lift to 90° while arms pull directly forward and back with no sideways movement
□ arms and legs move in opposition (only the shoulder moves and the angle stays the same throughout)
If you lose good form, slow down, prac- tice and then gradually increase speed while maintaining good position.