By Dave DeAngelis
With the grand opening of The Summit on Wednesday, April 15, came the introduction of the new water-walking resistance pool located next to the spacious main pool.
Resistance water-walking is an accommodating way to incorporate an exercise program into one’s healthy lifestyle routine. It is a low-impact exercise that enhances fitness by walking against the flow of water, which has been adjusted upward to provide the proper exercise stimulus.
Director of Wellness Cammy Dennis at On Top of the World highlighted facts to support the attractiveness and benefits of this low-impact exercise. The cardiovascular recommendations from the surgeon general include between 30 and 60 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week for everyone who is able (no age stipulation). As Cammy says, “You should not use age to define how you exercise; you should base it on your capability.” And, due to buoyancy, you weigh half of your land weight when standing in waist-deep water. Hmmm … so when a nurse asks my weight, I’ll ask in or out of water?
Are there rules and regulations? Yes, there are two sets of rules: one that, by law, must be posted. The other set of rules is community policies that On Top of the World feels should be instituted and can be found on OTOWInfo.com as well through the QR (Quick Response) code posted at the pool. If you are unfamiliar with a QR code, it is that black-and-white square thing with a bunch of smaller black squares inside. Scan it with your phone’s camera, and you’ll be directed to the policies.
So, which way do I walk in the resistance pool? Well, let’s make it fun with a quiz.
-Like an Egyptian
-Doing the Michael Jackson moonwalk
-Counterclockwise
-Clockwise
I’ll pass on this question because my watch isn’t water-resistant.
Although choices one, two and five are acceptable, the absolute correct answer is four – clockwise. Against the flow of water. The opposite way that the race cars go in the Indy 500. If you are surrounded by salmon swimming upstream, you are going in the correct direction; it is safe to say that you’re in the wrong body of water. If your sense of direction is like most of my putts, signs will be posted to show you the way.
Remember, this isn’t a wading pool – it is intended for exercise. No floatie things are allowed in the resistance pool.
So, take advantage of this ideal way to maintain a degree of fitness. Head on over to the water-walking resistance pool at The Summit. Please accept my apology if you can’t get that “Walk Like an Egyptian” song out of your head.