Exercise that helps with Scuba

[EFB]

Are there any types of exercise/workouts that help with Scuba? I do the Bar Method advanced workout 5-6 times a week and upper body weight training daily and brisk walking.

I wasn't sure if there was something else I should focus on that could benefit diving.

TIA

 

[merxlin]

I'll make a suggestion to add to your routine: Yoga- If you take a traditional yoga class you will get some great stretching (which is more consistent with what we do versus heavy lifting) and increase your balance and flexibility, plus learn how to control your breathing, and meditation which helps with situational management and staying calm under stress.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

You're probably already doing more to stay physically fit than 90% of the divers out there.

I have no idea how long or intense your Bar Method and brisk-walking sessions are. So long as you're hitting your target heart range for 30 minutes or more daily, I'd say you're doing great with respect to cardiovascular fitness.

 

[GFuterfas]

I took up swimming last summer and it was great exercise and made me feel awesome.

I'm no good at running because it hurts, but my usual routine is to work out to DVD's at home three to six times a week. RevAbs, P90X, etc. I got started on those because I worked on RevAbs as the Director of Photography, and now I swear by working out at home because I get much better results than I ever did at the gym and it's easier to fit the workout into my schedule since I don't have to drive anywhere.

Adding swimming a few days a week really boosted my results, but I have to admit that the pool I like is an outdoor pool and I've abandoned it for the winter. After these SoCal rains let up, I'm going to start again.

Best,
-Graham

 

[emoreira]

Besides swimming already mentioned, take a look at this website for complimentary exercises : Better fitness means better diving.

 

[TSandM]

Swimming laps with mask, fins and snorkel is excellent -- aerobic exercise, and uses the same muscles you use when diving.

 

[divermike1011]

+1 on TSandM's idea. Sounds like you've got a great base level of fitness, but doing the swimming specific to diving will help lower your air consumption among other benefits.

Michael

 

[bracko]

not really... diving fins aren't efficient on the surface, and swimming fins are a different technique. but it's better than sinking beers on the couch.

any aerobic exercise will help with VO2 max which is beneficial to you for a whole range of reasons, but diving as well. being a strong swimmer could one day be the difference of life and death, personally (being a swimmer I'm bias) I think it's the best form of fitness... low impact, whole body exercise.

other than that, do you do this bar method training with the DVD at home alone? if so you may need to supplement it with joining a running (or swimming, or whatever you enjoy) club... competitive sport isn't for everyone, but a good club will encourage and keep people who are competitive and people who just want to train with someone else, or, join a gym and pay someone to impose pain on you

 

[ajduplessis]

You already seem to do good quallity training. If you have the capacity I would add swimming/aerobic exercise and yoga. This will not only help with scuba, but help you later in your life as you get older.

 

[seaducer]

Cycling works great, as does walking or jogging on an incline such as uphill or on a treadmill.

An allaround upperbody routine with some emphasis on core muscles will also help you move that gear around when you are not in the water.

I think this is an area that a lot of divers ignore, but it can make all the difference.