Pools and hot tubs – a fun way to stay fit

<h2 style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt"><font size="3" color="#990000">Pools and hot tubs — a fun way to stay fit</font></h2><p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt">(ARA) – Swimming pools and hot tubs are just plain fun, but many people overlook the health benefits. Just about anyone, regardless of age or physical condition, can gain health benefits from swimming.</span></p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt"><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Swimming as a regular form of exercise can cut males’ risk of death by 50 percent as compared to runners, walkers and those with a sedentary lifestyle, according to a recent study by Dr. Steven N. Blair of the Arnold School for Public Health at the University of South Carolina. Blair found similar health and fitness benefits in an earlier study for women as well. </p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Regular laps in the pool can help tone the muscles in your entire body, lower blood pressure, increase circulation and raise metabolism and endurance. Because humans weigh less in the water, people who can’t participate in other forms of exercise because of injuries or excess weight can swim safely. And swimming is a fun and interesting workout that keeps people coming back for more. </p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">And, after a long session in the pool, or a long day at work, what could be better than time spent relaxing in a hot tub? </p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">The steamy, swirling waters of a hot tub provide a great place to loosen up and even to socialize, but can also lower your blood pressure and decrease joint pain and swelling. </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Additionally, the combination of heat, buoyancy and massage in a hot tub can provide therapeutic benefits for those with arthritis, diabetes, insomnia and more. </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/16a.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/16a.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">A recent study supervised by the Foundation for Physical Therapy and funded in part by the Hot Tub Council of the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals found significant recuperative benefits for knee replacement patients who performed their physical therapy in warm water.<span>  </span></p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">When you make an investment in a home pool or hot tub, you’re not only potentially increasing the value of your home and making your house the most popular on the block, you’re increasing the length and quality of your life. </p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">For more information or to find a pool builder, retailer or service company, visit <a href="http://www.APSP.org" target="_blank">www.APSP.org</a> . For more information on the health benefits of warm-water therapy, visit <a href="http://www.HotTubLiving.com" target="_blank">www.HotTubLiving.com</a> . </p>  <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt">Courtesy of ARAcontent</span></p></span>