Hi friends! Here’s a section from my new book, Aqua Therapy for Lipedema and Lymphedema. In the book I mention several items that you might want to make your aqua therapy more enjoyable. I’ve attached that list here, and will be linking to specific items on Amazon as the book is released. If you have a water therapy supply you’d like me to add, just drop me a line at legslikemine@gmail.com!
Happy swimming!
Susan
The List
Updated 3/27/2023
- Aquatic Dumbbells – use these when you need a little bit of extra flotation to hold in your hands when doing flutter kicks, or to place under your armpits when bicycling. These are also fabulous for a simple way to add resistance when doing arm exercises, or to moves like jumping jacks and cross-country skiing in the water.
- Ear plugs – if you have any issues with getting water in your ears, keep a pair in your swim bag handy. There are many days now that I get my whole swim in without getting my hair or ears wet, but it’s nice to have them, just in case.
- Flotation Belt or Life Jacket – great for non-swimmers and for deep water exercise.
- Hair Ties – if you have long hair, to pull it up quickly and keep it dry
- Kickboards – great for doing some of the exercises I list here, keeping in the pool as a quick safety grab, and for floating on after a good workout.
- Pool noodles – really such an inexpensive little tool that can be replaced easily if lost. I use these to float on for bicycles and other extension exercises, but also for exercises where I push my legs and feet on them (see the car clutch exercises in the book).
- Sunscreen, Sunglasses and Hat if you’re swimming outside
- Swim Goggles – if you like doing strokes that get your face wet
- Swimmers Ear Drops – great if you’re swimming in a natural body of water to dry the water out and kill any little bacteria that may have gotten in
- Towel – Most gyms will have smallish sized towels available. I usually bring my own, large enough to wrap around me as needed.
- Water Bottle – it’s important to stay hydrated while doing water activities. We don’t realize how much we’re sweating I the water, but remember to take drinks as you go, and before. But please don’t pee in the pool! Use the restroom before all your swim sessions.
- Water gloves – These are webbed between the fingers to provide increased resistance in water during water exercise. Open fingers help maintain a feel for the water. I personally do not use them because I cup my hands for resistance, but there are ladies in my classes that swear by them.
- Water shoes – If you’re swimming in any place where your feet can get cut or scratched (this includes pools with a scratchy bottom during water aerobics, especially), wear water shoes or even old tennis shoes to protect them.
- Water weights – A pound of extra weight makes a tremendous difference when you’re doing your leg workouts. I’d definitely start without them because the added resistance in water will be a huge difference to land-based exercise anyway. But maybe someday? Who knows!
