Noodle Water Exercises

A noodle is a long, foam object that is used for play and exercise in a swimming pool. It is buoyant and comes in many different colors. The noodle is a popular exercise device for elderly citizens who are too frail to work out with free weights. Exercising with a noodle is not recommended for those who wish to build a lot of muscle or experience an intense workout.

  1. Tricep Pulldown

    • Stand in a spot of the pool where the water comes up to your navel. Holding the noodle in front of you with both hands, push it downward into the water. Relax your arms and let the noodle float back up to the surface (keeping your grasp lightly on the noodle). A few reps and sets will target your triceps, and you will exercise your upper body.

    "Surfing"

    • This is an exercise that requires you to go to the deep end of the pool. Using the noodle as a flotation device, pull your feet up onto it and then straighten your legs. Keep the noodle below your feet as you tread water with your arms. This is probably the most intense workout a noodle will provide, because it requires both concentration and strength. If you're feeling extra-limber, bend your knees up and extend you legs back down, keeping the noodle below your feet.

    Sit on the Noodle

    • For this exercise, you can practice either in the shallow or deep end of the pool. Either way, your feet should not touch the floor of the pool. Put the noodle at the back of your thighs under the water, then sit on the noodle. Tread water with your arms to help keep yourself afloat. This is a less strenuous version of the "surfing" exercise but will help increase your overall balance and will burn calories if you can practice this exercise at least 10 minutes at a time.