10 Must-Try Pool Exercises for STRONGER Legs

Strengthen your legs in the pool with fun water exercises! 💧

Aquatic exercises can be helpful especially if you are dealing with arthritic pain, stiff joints and/or difficulty with standing exercises. Working in the pool can help you build foundational strength to help with activities like walking and stairs.

Join Dr. Alyssa Kuhn, physical therapist and osteoarthritis specialist as she shows you ten of the best exercises that can help you build you strength in your hips, knees and ankles to support your joints.

Many people find water exercises to be helpful with knee osteoarthritis, hip osteoarthritis, low back pain, limited mobility and more. These are 10 suggestions to try in your next pool workout! These can also be a great way to mix up your current water exercises.

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Disclaimer: This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, and prescription or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Kuhn and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Move Well Age Well, LLC and Dr. Alyssa Kuhn, PT, DPT are not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis or any conclusions drawn, services or product you obtain through this post, video or site. Complete all exercises at your own risk.

[suep]

I’m hesitant to write this (because of ridicule) but I so appreciate your modesty in the clothing you wear. Whether in or out of the pool. There’s no distraction and it says you are truly focused on the actual movement. Thank you, Alyssa

[cherbinsted]

In all my years of seeing doctors, physios and so on, nobody has ever told me about these types of exercises. I am so grateful I found you on YouTube. Thank you. 🙏

[debbos]

I’ve taken water fitness classes for 3 years now. I had a bad knee and it was followed up by a knee replacement. I go to the pool a half hour before class just to do these steps. I am so much more stable. My body is so much happier working out in the pool. I now do 6 hours of pool exercises a week. Still need to work on my cardio, that’s hard with bad hips…. It’s tough getting old sometimes

[lisab.]

My husband had 2 brain surgeries from which he recovered beautifully. He had several months of physiotherapy, but he felt he didn't fully recover his balance. I found a nearby PT center that offered aquatic therapy. He said it was far more challenging and beneficial than he expected it to be. He looked forward to his pool sessions. It has greatly improved his confidence in his balance and his lower body mobility and strength. He now walks a mile a day. I have a bad knee myself and pool walking was highly recommended by my own physiotherapist as well.

[PetenSal]

I’m in my early 60’s and have been diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis in my hips and lower back. I’ve been struggling for almost a year now with chronic pain. I’m going to try some of your exercises and try to get some strength back in my legs and core. I’m pretty confident it will help, Thanks for your channel!

[Teramis]

I love how you constantly come up with new, creative approaches to joint-related exercises. Thanks, Alyssa! ❤

[ErnieSalinas-rbmb]

Thank you so much for introducing these water exercises. I have been nursing a knee. My therapist suggested me walking in the pool as much as possible. I will incorporate these exercises. I love love walking in the pool it has really helped my legs quite a bit! Thank you so much for all you do.

[lisabaca]

These are some of my favorite exercises you have showed us. I have to watch this again so I can remember when I go to the pool! Thank you

[pamwedel]

I did pool physio after total hip replacement... So blessed our hospital has a pool where the floor of the pool lowers and you can do it for a few weeks to help your rehab along. So thankful for your videos as well 😊

[treehugnhipi]

Thank you! I will be adding these to my pool routine tomorrow morning! I’ve been out of the pool for a couple of weeks after getting diagnosed with L4 spinal vertebrae issues, figuring stuff out and navigating this new reality and intent on getting stronger…and here you are in the pool doing just the strengthening exercises I need! 💕

[PippyKatStamper]

ALL of these exercises are my favorites!! Both of my knees are severely arthritic and in need of replacement. However, doing these leg exercises in the pool at the YMCA is extremely helpful in not only strengthening my legs, but reducing the amount of pain in my joints!! Thank you very much - LOVE ALL of your videos in and out of the pool!!

[tommclaughlin]

These are great for Achilles rupture excercises.
I Do these 4 times a week.
Gate is still off a little and need more strength on the surgery side.
The calf strength is most challenging. The heal raises in the pool are helpful.
Your approach is awesome.

[stellamc]

I think these workout could be my favorite! Recovering from knee surgery. Just completed my physical therapy and now back to the gym. My therapist helped me figure out weight machines to use to continue to strengthen my legs - 2 times per week. These pool exercises would be great for me on alternate days. Thanks!

[abc]

I'm going to the pool today to get out of the heat and will do your routine. Thank you.

[NancyWaltonHart-sgdx]

Nice to finally see you in an actual pool. I've needed pool exercises to use along your other excellent exercises.

[ayla]

These are great and very helpful exercises, I'm really glad I joined your channel thank you so much Dr Alyssa Kuhn.🙏🙏🌹🌸🌺🌻💐

[elysec]

Thank you Alyssa for all the wonderful exercises you give to help strengthen the body to find greater mobility for arthritic joints. I do go to my wonderful PT and she does give me exercises to do but you go even further as if you know exactly what I need. Your videos are so helpful as my PT gives written instructions for exercises and still pictures. A video goes so much further.

[higuysrealtalkwithtracy]

Thank you so much. I love the pool
It helps my back.pain❤

[AndreaWilson]

Thank you for these helpful pool exercises!

[sandrap]

Pool for an hour every day for 2 months over summer in outdoor public pool has been a gamechanger for arthritis & weakness. Walking forward & backward as fast as I can & doing alot of kicking & marching, nonstop movement. In water & with less gravity, I found I was back to my old self. Leg strength has returned & I can do everyday tasks & standing & walking so much better now. Have to find an indoor pool to join because I dont want to stop the progress & besides its both fun & therapeutic.