The Mermaid Workout
By Gretchen Ashton, CFT, SFT, SFN, NBFE
R
elating to the underwater imagination of women, the Mermaid Workout
recommends the components of a healthy lifestyle through a friendship with a
popular mythical creature. “The idea for the workout is to attract the attention
of women divers and bring an awareness of the importance of physical fitness
to the sport of scuba diving,” said Gretchen M. Ashton, CFT, NBFE, dive fitness expert and owner of ScubaFit®.
Many aspects of diving are the same regardless of
gender. However, women often dive with their husbands as their dive buddies. If their husband (or any
other male diver) has an emergency, they need to be
able to assist someone who is usually taller, bigger
and heavier than they are. Further, while some dive
equipment is geared toward the size and shape of
women, weights, tanks and climbing boat ladders will
always require a minimum level of physical strength.
The good news is that just a couple of weight training
workouts each week makes a big difference for women divers.
The Mermaid Workout is a balanced exercise program
including aerobic exercise, resistance training and
good nutrition. To maintain your current health and
weight requires just three workouts per week. To lose weight requires a minimum of four workouts per week. To correct or manage medical conditions six
workouts may be necessary. Unlike men who benefit from shorter, fewer and
more intense workouts, women in particular, experience greater results with
moderate, longer and more frequent workouts.
Mermaids exercise in the water, but women divers have many options in addition to swimming. Gym memberships, sports such as tennis, volleyball
and soccer, and outdoor activities such kayaking and hiking are all excellent