Summer activities for the whole family

Summer is the perfect time for families to bond and stay fit at the same time. Instead of staying at home to watch television or play computer games, families can have fun while staying fit by going outdoors and trying different physical activities. Here are some recommended summer activities from “Pinoy MD,” GMA-7’s weekend health show:

Hydrotheraphy

“Pinoy MD” recommends hydrotheraphy massage for moms and dads who suffer from sore muscles.  Hydrotheraphy is a kind of therapeutic massage that uses water pressure. Hydrotherapy massage involves soaking in a hydrotherapy pool equipped with water jets that target specific areas of the body.

To try hydrotherapy massage, visit Ace Water Spa in Quezon City and Pasig City.  According to the spa’s supervisor Jasmine Garcia, water is an essential element for spa treatments because it helps the body relax: “If ever may tensed muscle na minassage mo siya ng water, ma-loosen yung muscles, therefore mawawala ‘yung sakit.”

This treatment can be more effective if done using heated water.  “Since nga kasi yung warm water nakakapag relax, usually ito talaga ung ginagamit namin. Yung cold water naman ang pinaka-benefit niya is to alleviate temperature. Kung galing ka sa hot puwede kang pumunta para bumababa ang body tempretaure mo,” she said.

Aqua Zumba

"Pinoy MD” also recommends aqua zumba for older members of the family who want to loosen up their stiff muscles. Zumba is a dance exercise set to dance and Latin music. In aqua zumba, the dances are done in a four-foot-deep swimming pool.

According to Rhea Jose, an aqua zumba instructor at Ace Water Spa, this kind of exercise does not have a negative impact on the body because water is 800 times more dense than the air, thereby acting as buffer and resistance: “Wala kang ikot o galaw na masasaktan ang katawan mo. The water protects you.”

Ace Water Spa

Quezon City Branch:
399 Del Monte Avenue (near cor. Banaue St.) SFDM, Quezon City
(6 32) 367-8040 to 41 / 367-8061 to 62

Pasig City Branch:
United St., cor. Brixton St. near Pioneer, Pasig City
(632) 451-1111 / 582-5754

Kayaking

“Pinoy MD” recommends kayaking for kids and teens. This recreational exercise helps strengthen back muscles, hands and even thighs.

Splash Island in Biñan, Laguna has a facility which allows its guests to experience kayaking. For P400, guests get whole day access to the water park’s kayaking equipment, as well as its slide pools, wave pools, and kiddie pools.

Splash Island

Southwoods Ecocentrum, Southwoods Exit, Biñan, Laguna
(02) 3824711 / (02)7105878

Wind surfing
 

Wind surfing can help improve a person’s balance and strengthen hip and thigh muscles. Doing this surface water sport at least four times a month can help reduce your waistline by as much as five inches!

According to Rolly Tanseco,  an instructor at Aqua World Beach Resort in Batangas, wind surfing is a challenging but effective exercise: “Kailangan kasi marunong tayong bumasa ng hangin. Lagi na lang natin tatandaan na tayo kapag nakatayo sa layag ang hangin nanggagaling sa likod natin.”

Aqua World Beach Resort

Anilao, Batangas
09272323437
(043) 410-0351

Frisbee



“Pinoy MD” recommends this healthy summer activity to those families who are on a budget. To play frisbee, all you need is a spacious area in your backyard and a flying disk that can be bought at any sports store for just P80 to P90.

Frisbee is considered a total body workout because you need to run and at the same time stretch your arms and lower body to catch the disk. –Rica Fernandez/PF, GMA News