Stay Fit While the Pool’s Closed: Low-Impact Cardio Ideas

Now that our swimming pool has closed for the season, many of our regular swimmers are wondering how to maintain their cardiovascular fitness without their favourite watery workout. The good news is that our fitness suite offers excellent non-weightbearing and low-impact alternatives that can provide similar cardiovascular benefits to swimming, whilst still being gentle on your joints.

The Bike: Your New Best Friend

Cycling is perhaps the closest equivalent to swimming when it comes to low-impact cardiovascular exercise. Our fitness suite features both upright bikes and a recumbent bike, each offering unique benefits. Upright bikes engage your core more intensively and simulate outdoor cycling, whilst recumbent bikes provide excellent back support, making them ideal for those with lower back concerns.

To replicate the steady-state cardio you’d get from swimming laps, try maintaining a moderate pace for 30-45 minutes. Alternatively, interval training on the bike – alternating between high-intensity sprints and recovery periods – can mirror the varying intensity of different swimming strokes. The beauty of cycling is that it’s completely non-weightbearing, eliminating stress on your knees, hips, and ankles whilst still giving you an excellent cardiovascular workout.

Rowing: A Full-Body Alternative

If you’re missing the full-body engagement that swimming provides, the rowing machine is your answer. Rowing uses approximately 85% of your body’s muscles, engaging your legs, core, back, and arms in a fluid, coordinated movement that’s remarkably similar to swimming’s all-round muscle activation.

The rowing motion is low-impact and gentle on joints whilst building both cardiovascular endurance and muscular strength. Start with 20-minute sessions, focusing on proper technique – the power should come from your legs, not just your arms. As you build stamina, gradually increase your duration to match your typical swimming session length.

Elliptical Trainers and Cross-Trainers

Our elliptical machine offers another superb low-impact option. The smooth, gliding motion eliminates the joint impact associated with running whilst still providing a great cardiovascular workout. Many users find the elliptical’s natural movement pattern comfortable and sustainable for longer sessions.

Cross-trainers that incorporate arm movements provide the added benefit of upper body engagement, more closely mimicking swimming’s full-body style. These machines allow you to adjust resistance levels, letting you customise your workout intensity to match your fitness goals.

Fitness Classes: Community and Cardio Combined

Don’t overlook our cardio fitness classes as swimming alternatives. Classes like circuit training with low-impact stations, and cardio conditioning sessions can deliver the heart-pumping benefits you’re after whilst adding the motivational boost of group exercise.

Our fitness instructors are skilled at offering modifications to keep exercises joint-friendly, and the structured format ensures you’ll maintain intensity throughout your workout – much like following a swim training programme. The social aspect of classes can also help fill the community void that regular pool-goers can sometimes experience when pool facilities close for the winter.

Creating Your Transition Plan

To successfully transition from pool to fitness suite, aim to match your swimming frequency and duration. If you swam three times weekly for 45 minutes, replicate that schedule with your chosen alternative exercises. Consider mixing different machines and classes throughout the week to prevent boredom and work your body in varied ways.

Remember, whilst these alternatives are excellent for cardiovascular fitness and joint health, they each offer slightly different benefits. Experiment with different options to discover what feels best for your body and keeps you motivated through the off-season.

We look forward to welcoming you back to the pool when it reopens in April 2026. Until then, we’re here to help you maintain your fitness journey in our fully-equipped fitness suite!