Showers are a Workout Too
Maybe it’s because I am over 300 lbs or maybe it’s because my shower is tiny, but showering is like working out. I tested this by showering yesterday immediately after I worked out and showering today an hour after I worked out. The differences were staggering.
When I showered immediately (within 15 minutes) after working out, I was out of breath. Each movement, each scrub was like an exercise move. I do tend to scrub vigorously, so maybe that is part of it. I could feel myself sweating as the water hit me. I feel my muscles working and it feels as though I am undergoing some sort of endurance challenge. It was almost like yoga: Balancing myself on one leg in order to scrub the bottom of my feet. I actually had to stop in between scrubs so that I could catch my breath. When I waited an hour after working out I was fine. No heavy breathing and no muscle soreness.
I also tested this theory with varying water temperatures. I am a hot shower kind of guy because I like the sauna effect it gives. I found that the temperature of the water doesn’t really effect me that much. It’s more about the time I allot in between my shower and my workout.
This sounds retarded, but think about it. I like the fact that it’s like a workout because I consider it just that, a workout. Albeit, a short one. But it’s just another tool in my arsenal for my weight loss. It reminds me of some aquatic exercises I partook in while in college. My football coach made the entire team take a pool exercising class. They made use run in place, swim, and jump/lung in the water. It was more tiring than I expected it to be. I think I am going sign up at the YMCA for some pool classes.
Is that crazy? Using showering as a workout?
Give it a try and let me know how your next shower goes.
showering for that long isn’t a good idea if you do not use filter and live in the city where water are treated with Chlorine.
You know how bad chlorine are for you right!? Just a heads up, I am also a little into Health myself.
Um, yeh. I don’t last too long showering, maybe 15 to 25 minutes if I am not rushing. My county has water filtration and I have an extra water filter installed on my home. You into health? What kind?
But apparently not into grammar.
I track my activities with fitday.com and it says that showering and toweling off is three calories per minute. That’s not bad! I list that all the time with my activities. Showering is better than a bath, like walking burns more than standing, which burns more than sitting. It’s all burning calories every minute that we are up and moving.
I agree 100%, every little thing counts! I knew it was a workout. lol.
I think that if you have a place nearby, go for it. The resistance that water provides is great and gives a huge workout without getting hot and sweaty (at least compared to doing the same exercises outside the pool). In addition, it really takes a lot of stress off the joints. The only reason that I belong to a health club is for their pool privileges.
I have been considering joining a club just for the pool. I especially like the fact that swimming is low impact on my joints.
You’re right! Never in a million years would I have thought a shower could be a work out. Shaving your legs in the shower also gives you a good stretch.
I never tried that one, but will take you word on it. 🙂
That’s good to hear, so what i was doing till now (waiting after a work or a workout and then shower) wasnt helping me, THanks for the info!