Tighter Tummy and Thinner Thighs

As a Master swimmer I am made painfully aware, each time I compete, of the importance of a strong core, and by that I mean stomach strength. I come away from each competition vowing to do more leg work, lots of legs-only with the kickboard, and for fitness there is really nothing to beat it.

One of the major benefits is that it tones the thigh and abdominal muscles terrifically and it improves stamina tremendously. I'm sure we all remember seeing the coverage of fighters like Muhammad Ali in their pre?fight training, and the first thing they do each day is hit the road to work on those legs, because that is what strengthens the core.

Now, fortunately, we can work on the same principle but without the stress and damage to the joints by working on those legs in the pool. I like to do my leg work without a kickboard because I find using a kickboard makes me tighten up across my shoulders and at the back of my neck, so I use a "palming" or "feathering" action with my hands to support my upper body especially when I need to breathe.

However if you're just starting out, use the kickboard as it's a little easier and provides more support. As for how many laps, I feel it's important to stay within your comfort level, but to gradually increase your lap count as you progress and get stronger. There is no doubt that you will notice improvement and that's when you can move on to more.

Stomach strength is so vital to general well being and stamina, and certainly great opera singers, orators, actors and athletes project from, and draw upon, that core strength. Now apart from the benefits to the stomach muscles gained from legs-only swim work, there is also a terrific slenderizing effect on the thighs, because unlike weight work or road work which "pumps" the thigh muscles, swimming is an elongating process as one is working in a less resistant medium.

So slim those thighs, tighten that tummy and feel great with a legs-only workout.

About The Author

Gordon Black is a world-ranked Master swimmer and Canadian national record holder. A member of the British swim team in the late '60s, after thirty years out of the pool, last year Gordon returned to competitive swimming in the Masters forum. He offers an online weight loss, fitness and motivational coaching service through his web site http://www.gordonblack.com where his competitive comeback is chronicled.

gordon@gordonblack.com

---

Trying To Lose Weight? Heres A Low Carb Tip If Its White, Dont Eat It.

Dr. Hagglund's Healthy Eating Tips(All wheat products, bananas*, breads, rice,... Read More

Weight Loss? 2 Skills You Need

If you have been dieting, there is a good chance... Read More

Walking for Weight Loss: Walking with a Purpose

I wrote this article back in the late fall when... Read More

Break Your Weight Loss Plateau

How to Break Your PlateauToday is a typical morning like... Read More

Low Fat versus Low Carb Diets

Diets, diets, diets... every where you go, anything you read... Read More

A Startling Fact About Losing Dangerous Belly Fat -- Without Exercise

The story broke in the international press on October 4th,... Read More

Weight Loss Story -- What Did I Do Wrong?

Two basic approaches to losing weight; one approach is correct... Read More

South Beach Diets and Fast Food Franchises

Franchised Business Models and American Diets could be at odds.... Read More

The Truth About Low Carb Dieting

Every day you walk down the street it is becoming... Read More

Milk: The Weight Loss Drug

Lose Weight - Grab A GlassIn childhood, we heard it:... Read More

After Gastric Bypass: Some Tough Love on Grieving Food

New gastric bypass patients say they miss food, they grieve... Read More

Weight Loss, Fitness, and a Peace of Mind for Life! The Secret is NOT in the Charts!

I am Greg Ryan, a high profile fitness expert with... Read More

11 Tips for Easy Weight Loss

1. CUT THE SIMPLE CARBS.It's unfortunate that the majority of... Read More

Is Your Ability to Buy Dietary Supplements, Herbal Preparations, and Tonics in Jeopardy in the USA?

When the DSHEA (Dietary Supplement Health Education Act) was passed... Read More

Tips for Weight Loss

For a healthy body, it is very important to have... Read More

Hypnosis for Weight Control - Why Diets Dont Provide a Long-Term Solution

One of the difficulties with dieting is the well known... Read More

Confessions From A Fat Doctor

I never intended to get fat! I am not exactly... Read More

Tips to Help You Lose Excess Fat

Believe it or not, losing a little or a lot... Read More

First Component of Weight Loss

Any true body transformation starts with self?discovery. It is an... Read More

Atkins Diet Ongoing Weight Loss (OWL) Carbohydrate Ladder

The Atkins low-carb diet consists of four phases: Induction, Ongoing... Read More

Movie Star Weight Loss Secrets ? Kathy Smiths Former Personal Trainer Speaks Out!

In the early nineties I had the opportunity to work... Read More

Scales Are For Fish, Not Weight Loss

Contrary to common belief, your weight is not really the... Read More

Weight Loss Methods: Its Advantage - Natural Therapy!

Natural therapies uphold the importance of minerals, vitamins and herbs... Read More

WLS Patients Report Frequent Dizziness: What Causes It?

Many gastric bypass patients report frequent spells of dizziness. In... Read More

Burning Fat vs. Burning Calories

To lose weight and get in shape you must have... Read More

Why Did Your Diet Fail You? Or Did You Fail Your Diet?

Are you someone who has, in the past, been on... Read More

The South Beach Diet

Among the most popular forms of dieting is the South... Read More

Tips For Successful Weight Loss

Throughout my childhood and teenage years I watched as my... Read More

Fourteen Reasons Why Dieting Is Bad For Your Health

1. The lower the calories eaten per day, the harder... Read More

How To Maintain Your Weight Loss Motivation

One of the hardest aspects of getting yourself into shape,... Read More

Protein - Its Place In Your Weight Loss Program

Any food that we take into our bodies is composed... Read More

Diet and Exercise Evolution: Adaptation (part I) -- Theory

Adaptation is the most important concept I teach. The human... Read More

Bodybuilding Weightloss Diet Tips And Strategies

Just the facts on bodybuilding weightloss strategies that work. No... Read More