Resistance? Futile? Not in the water

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Resistance? Futile? Not in the water

Roy M. Wallack

http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-

gear31jul31,1,328931.story?coll=la-headlines-health

No one wants to exercise when it hits 100 degrees. But a refreshing

way to beat the summertime heat — and get a superb upper-body

workout — is aquatic resistance. Pushing and pulling a plastic or

foam dumbbell through the pool water, alone or in conjunction with a

flotation belt and leg resistance devices, offers smooth, joint-safe

strength, toning and balance benefits. Once the province of certain

athletes, injury rehab patients and older exercisers, water workouts

can now work for everyone. No matter what regimen you prefer — boxing

punches, tai chi, shallow-end water running, gym-style weight

exercises such as curls and flies — the water density makes the

movements harder as you go faster. If you give the workout your all,

the results extend far beyond strengthened arms and shoulders —

creating a real aerobic effect, some leg muscle toning and a

pronounced blast to the midsection, which is always working to

maintain balance in the unstable water.

An aquatic trendsetter

Hydro-Tone Hydro-Bells: The original drag-resistance aquatic

dumbbell, this plastic rectangle uses baffles and fins to increase

water friction.

Likes: The large size — a foot tall — contributes to the intensity of

the workout. The Hydro-Bell System 1 ($69.95) includes a VHS workout

tape and several well-done line-drawing exercise charts, conveniently

inserted in seep-through waterproof sheet protectors for poolside

use.

Dislikes: The large dimensions are a bit cumbersome for some

movements and do not travel well.

Price: $59.95. (800) 622-8663; http://www.hydrotone.com .

AquaLogix Bells: A drag-resistance device that encloses your hand in

a perforated and finned cage, providing tough resistance through all

angles of motion.

Likes: Compact and highly effective, it has the most natural feel of

the models reviewed. The rounded shape, inspired by a whiffle ball,

provides a unique " omni-directional drag resistance " — even

resistance in every direction, says inventor and personal trainer Tad

Stout. Small, travel-friendly size makes it a great workout tool at

home and on the road. Available in three resistance levels. A

training DVD ($19.95) can be purchased separately.

Dislikes: None.

Price: $59. (406) 449-5559;

http://www.aqualogixfitness.com .

Paddle and tone

Zura Sports Aquatic Fitness Dumbbells: Paddle-like molded

foam " weights " that pit the user against buoyancy, rather than drag

resistance.

Likes: Compact and simple to use. To change resistance, turn the

dumbbells 90 degrees.

Dislikes: A good workout, but not nearly as tough, functional or

natural as the other drag-resistance devices. You expend as much

effort keeping the dumbbells down as you do moving them in the

desired direction of the exercises.

Price: $23.95. (800) 890-3009; http://www.zura.com .

Flotation device

AquaJogger DeltaBells Pro: Foam triangles with soft padded grip.

Likes: Triangular design offers adjustable resistance: Turn it toward

the flat end for hard resistance, and toward the pointed end for

less. Very comfortable padded grip. Includes workout guide. Weaker

exercisers can try the smaller-sized, less-resistant ActiveBells

($23.95) and DeltaBells ($27.95).

Dislikes: Same knock as Zura: Good workout, but the effort to control

the flotation conflicts with the exercise motion itself.

Price: $34.95. (800) 922-9544; http://www.aquajogger.com .