Must-try water activities to keep your body in shape

Although not as common as gym exercises or dance classes, swimming activities are also said to be effective in keeping the body fit. Aside from being fun, swimming pool games can also help tone muscles, improve cardiovascular and respiratory health, and enhance flexibility.

With this in mind, "Pop Talk" host Tonipet Gaba invited surf instructor Paolo Soler, lady guard Princess Tolero, and Kapuso celebrity Roxee B. to a day of swimming and playing three indoor water activities. The reviewers took the plunge and judged each exercise based on its “doability”, fun factor, and fitness factor. Here are their final verdicts.



Aquathlon or Underwater Wrestling
Try it at: Philippine Association on Underwater Activities
Lot 23 Block 6, Holy Spirit Drive Don Antonio Heights, Quezon City
Lessons start at: P1,500

The term "aquathlon", which is derived from the Latin word "aqua" and the Greek word "athlon", literally means "water competition." Combining the characteristics of martial arts and combat sports, this activity is basically a wrestling match done underwater. "This is something new kasi more challenging ang underwater wrestling because of the pressure underwater," said Mary Ann Reyes, Secretary General of the Philippine Association of Underwater Activities.



To play aquathlon or underwater wrestling, each participant must be equipped with swim fins, a scuba or diving mask, an ankle band, and ribbons. The player's main objective is to steal the ribbons of his opponents. Players are only allowed to stay underwater for 30 seconds and those who go up for air before the required period of time automatically become more vulnerable to getting their ribbons stolen. Each game has three rounds and the first one who gets two points wins.

This water game is a cardiovascular exercise. It is also recommended for people who want to tone their arms and legs and improve their agility.

Kapuso celebrity Roxee B. enumerated more reasons why the aquathlon is a must-try: "Para sa mga athletic, okay siya lalo na if you work out at the gym tapos naghahanap ka ng mas fun… Fitness factor, sobrang okay din siya. It’s like you're doing muay thai and at the same time habulan. Sobrang workout din siya legs arms, core breathing. Sakop siya lahat."

Final verdict: 9 pop points



Underwater Hockey
Try it at: Army Wellness Center
Bayani Road, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
Free for all every Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays

Underwater hockey traces its origins back to 1954 when it was first played in the United Kingdom. The game consists of two teams with six active players each. Like the regular field or ice hockey, the main goal of this game is to direct a puck to a goal located on the opposing team's end. The team that gets more goals within 30 minutes wins.

The game becomes more challenging because players can't use scuba equipment to aid their breathing underwater. All they have are diving masks, swim fins, snorkels, protective head gear and gloves.

This game is also a good cardiovascular workout like other water activities. Charrie Ong Yangco, president of Polo and Underwater Hockey, explained: "Okay siya na exercise kasi kailangan mong i-hold ang breath mo. Kakaiba rin siya kasi di siya yung ordinary. Ito 'di ka na nga nakakahinga tapos ang dami mo pang dapat gawin so medyo exciting siya."

Roxee also thought that this sport is good for the lungs: "Maganda siya for breathing. Yun yung na-realize ko. Kanina parang napuno yung lungs ko na hindi naman nagagawa pag nagwo-workout ka lang."

On the other hand, surfer Paolo believed that underwater hockey would be enjoyed best by adept swimmers. "Kailangan experienced swimmer ka. Kailangan yung lung capacity mo malaki kasi patagalan kayo sa ilalim," he said. "I think maganda siyang cross training for my sport surfing."

Final verdict:  9 pop points



Mermaid Swimming
Try it at: SR3 SR/F Makati Palace Hotel
P. Burgos St., Brgy. Poblacion, Makati City
Lessons start at: P1,500

Ladies who want to try being mermaids need not go all the way to Boracay's Philippine Mermaid Swimming Academy. Mermaid classes are also already available in Manila.

The most important components of mermaid swimming are the monofin and the dolphin kick. In order to swim like a mermaid, one must master kicking with both legs locked together then synchronizing the whole body to move in a wave-like motion. Mermaid swimming exercises the lungs and can also be used as an abs workout.

Roxee, who confessed that being a mermaid was her childhood dream, shared that mermaid swimming wasn't that easy: "Mahirap kasi kailangan mong sabayan ng some giling pero panindigan mo yun."

"Pang mga mahilig sa sayaw like if you have a little background in belly dancing or kahit zumba basta mahilig ka sa sayaw pasok na pasok 'to sa 'yo," Roxee said.

Princess admitted that she enjoyed mermaid swimming even if she had to get used to it at first. "Masaya siya kaso kailangan lang talga yung fins mag-fit sa paa mo saka alam mong mag-balance,” she said. Sobrang saya nung nag langoy langoy na ako. Feeling ko sirena na ako kaya pop na pop sa akin. "

Final verdict: 8 pop points