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Showers are a Workout Too


Shower head after a workoutMaybe it’s because I am over 300 lbs or maybe it’s because my shower is tiny, but showering is like working out. I tested this by showering yesterday immediately after I worked out and showering today an hour after I worked out. The differences were staggering.

When I showered immediately (within 15 minutes) after working out, I was out of breath. Each movement, each scrub was like an exercise move. I do tend to scrub vigorously, so maybe that is part of it. I could feel myself sweating as the water hit me. I feel my muscles working and it feels as though I am undergoing some sort of endurance challenge. It was almost like yoga: Balancing myself on one leg in order to scrub the bottom of my feet. I actually had to stop in between scrubs so that I could catch my breath. When I waited an hour after working out I was fine. No heavy breathing and no muscle soreness.

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I also tested this theory with varying water temperatures. I am a hot shower kind of guy because I like the sauna effect it gives. I found that the temperature of the water doesn’t really effect me that much. It’s more about the time I allot in between my shower and my workout.

This sounds retarded, but think about it. I like the fact that it’s like a workout because I consider it just that, a workout. Albeit, a short one. But it’s just another tool in my arsenal for my weight loss. It reminds me of some aquatic exercises I partook in while in college. My football coach made the entire team take a pool exercising class. They made use run in place, swim, and jump/lung in the water. It was more tiring than I expected it to be. I think I am going sign up at the YMCA for some pool classes.

Is that crazy? Using showering as a workout?

Give it a try and let me know how your next shower goes.

About the Author

My name is Israel Lagares. I used to be the kind of guy that was always in shape, but over the last few years I've fallen off tremendously. This site is my final attempt to get back into shape. So far I've lost 70.4 lbs. Check out my weight loss chart, weight loss videos and progress pics. Follow my journey, those of others, and read our thoughts on various health topics. Share your thoughts, experience, and journey here on FMU.

Community Thoughts (10)

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  1. WarriorBlogNo Gravatar says:

    showering for that long isn’t a good idea if you do not use filter and live in the city where water are treated with Chlorine.

    You know how bad chlorine are for you right!? Just a heads up, I am also a little into Health myself.

  2. JanBNo Gravatar says:

    I track my activities with fitday.com and it says that showering and toweling off is three calories per minute. That’s not bad! I list that all the time with my activities. Showering is better than a bath, like walking burns more than standing, which burns more than sitting. It’s all burning calories every minute that we are up and moving.

  3. coming cleanNo Gravatar says:

    I think that if you have a place nearby, go for it. The resistance that water provides is great and gives a huge workout without getting hot and sweaty (at least compared to doing the same exercises outside the pool). In addition, it really takes a lot of stress off the joints. The only reason that I belong to a health club is for their pool privileges.

  4. You’re right! Never in a million years would I have thought a shower could be a work out. Shaving your legs in the shower also gives you a good stretch.

  5. That’s good to hear, so what i was doing till now (waiting after a work or a workout and then shower) wasnt helping me, THanks for the info!

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