Water noodles or pool noodles refers to long supple cylinders which are made from foam that can be used as a personal flotation device, pool toys and also is used as a workout equipment in water aerobics. The swimming pool noodles come in different colors which make them very attractive as pool toys for the kids. The most popular ones are made with solid foam and are between four and five feet long and are also between three and four inches thick. There exist different variants with a hardened core which retain their shape and variants when their core is removed. There also exist some inflatable swim noodles but these are less popular.
Advantages of Using Water Noodles
The solid foam swim noodles are not really that expensive and can also take a lot of abuse when played by children. These materials float extremely well and make them very great swimming aids if you wish to learn how to swim. They are also considered one of the best personal flotation device which you can use in order to float in a vertical position. A swim noodle alone is usually enough in order to keep an adult in a vertical position with the head above water without him or her doing any leg or arm motions. A lot of people prefer to use swim noodles rather than a kick board while doing kick exercises since the supple swim noodle provides more natural support when in water. For example, when you place it under your armpit, you can float freely. Holding a kick board while extending your arms will strain the shoulders even more.
Using Pool Noodles when Swimming
Here are some of the examples on how you will swimming noodles when you want to learn how to swim:
- Place the pool noodles under one armpit, around you back and then under the other armpit in order to float in a vertical position and learn how to scull water, flutter kick or how to tread upon water.
- When you are on a horizontal prone position, place the swim noodle under your armpits and then across your chest to practice the breaststroke kick or flutter kick.
- Place it around your neck in the supine position while your arms extended or at your sides in order to practice the backstroke kick.
- Lying on a horizontal side position while in the water, you can actually place the water noodle under your lower arm pit in order to practice the scissor kick used in sidestroke.
Other Uses for the Pool Noodles
If you notice at the local pool, you can see injured athletes make use of the swim noodles in order to jog in the water. They place the pool noodles around the back and under every arm pit and then move the arms and legs like they were running. The resistance of the water against the limbs will provide an excellent type of workout and low-impact exercise.