This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

hi all,

i've been attempting to exercise again with some hits and misses. awhile back, i thought i saw a posting or a link regarding a equipment to wear while trying to do some cardio while in the pool. does anyone have any info on it or other pool/water cardio equipment?

thanks in advance,

tol

TOL--

I don't know about a link or cardio equipment for the water/pool but I do water aerobics (class) and typically we jog (forwards and backwards), do cross country skiing movements, jumping jacks, side bends, down hill ski movements, wide leg jogs, straight leg kicks, side to side jumping, etc.

The primary equipment we've used is one of those noodles--sit on it for "cycling", use it for balance and stretching exercises, lay back on it and then on both sides to do crunches.

I really enjoy it so if you give it a go maybe you'll have more "hits" than "misses". Good luck.

Sharon

thanks sharon!...i went for a swim today for the first time in awhile and it wasn't that bad..
best,

tol

Hi there

Living in Africa, we have a very hot climate - winter temp where I am is about 20 - 25C, with summer temps in the high 30C's, so I swim outdoors in my pool most of the year. I also do work outs there as it is the best way to stay cool while exercising (for me). I also use a pool noodle too, also kicker boards (like you use to teach kids to swim), and some strap on arm and leg weights for extra resistance training - I find this helps build strength in my weak rt arm and leg, and also build extra muscle in my "good" arm and leg, as I need it to get up some stairs etc. I find the weightlessness of being in the water makes it easier to move stiff muscles without getting spasms as much, and there are all sorts of water aerobics you can do as well as just swimming. Getting a routine going is the hardest thing - but if you do it, I am sure you will enjoy it.

Have fun (my whole family are water babies - my 4 yr old can do more laps than me!) and let us know how you are getting on.

thanks ally-

i'm still trying to figure out what works best for me...the initial swim went well, but i really didn't push myself that hard...i used to be pretty athletic, but it is hard now to know how hard to go at it

tol

Hi Tol

I am a great believer in the therapeutic effect of water, and happen to think that just bobbing around is really good for you, so soothing and calming! I think the key is to be sure you enjoy it and that it doesn't become a chore, or else you won't keep doing it (I hate going to the gym, working out with others who were much more able bodied so never stuck with it) - no pressure, just moving a little in that weightless environment will lift your spirits, if nothing else! Build strength and endurance very very slowly - overdoing it for you will not result in just a few sore muscles, but potentially something that will take you much longer to recover from. Anything active you do will be an improvement on doing nothing, so what ever is within your limits (never push too hard as you will tire too easily), is comfortable and enjoyable is the right thing for you - it might not turn out to be swimming - but don't be hard on yourself if you don't continue - life is tough enough!!!
Hope all goes well....Take care

Thanks for the encouragement!..it means a lot...hope you are doing okay

best,

TOL

Hi, i am new to this site, i have RRMS and was diagnosed in sept 2004, it is thought i have had ms or upt to a decade before that though. I also have other disabilities and have been basically wheelchair dependant for about 12 yrs. I have always been a strong swimmer and swimming therefore has been a great option for exercise- wheni am in the water i feel a high degree of freedom. i can walk and swm etc and i feel good- my only problem is that wheni get out of the water i feel totally wiped out for the rest of the day! the fatigue really kicks in! it feels like gravity trebles and even drying off and getting clothed is really difficult. Does nayone else have this issue? is it because i do more in the water as i feel good, so i over do things, or could it be because the pool is heated> it is a pool at the ms society so it is kept a bit cooler thanthe average hydrotherapy pool

Hi Tol

Thanks, I am doing ok at the moment, hope you are too.

Kebsa -

I am sure that the pool should be ok if it is at the ms society - the water should be between 21 - 25C for ms - too cold and we get stiff, too hot and our symptoms get worse.... You are probably doing too much because it feels so good! Try cutting backa little and see if it helps, also even though you are in the pool, you still get hot and sweaty if you over exert (you don't feel it though), which will raise your body temperature and make you exhausted, so gentle, slow exercise is best, not too much cardio, but rather more strength training.
My pool gets really hot in summer and if I swim during the heat of the day, I am exhausted after just a few minutes, and it takes me hours, even days to recover, so I stay in airconditioning, and swim at night.

I would imagine that it must feel great being out of the wheelchair - I am so glad that you have an activity that gives you joy, though I am sorry that this horrible disease has put you there.


Take care and experiment with cutting back a little.