Get Fit at the Beach

When you're swimming you use every muscle in your body to propel you through the water, and the pull and kick motions provide a strength workout. The result? A toned body and a fitter you.

Start a swimming program

Double Your Kilojoule Burn: Try Interval Training

Short bouts of vigorous activity can speed up weight loss and cut your workout time by half or more. By adding intervals to your swimming routine you'll not only make it more interesting, you'll create a highly efficient body-conditioning workout.

YOUR WORKOUT

First 50 metres: moderate pace, followed by 20 tricep presses on the edge of the pool

Second 50 metres: fast sprint, then 20 ab curls holding the edge of the pool

Third 50 metres: leg kicks with a board

Fourth 50 metres: sprint backstroke for the home run!

Rest period: 5 minutes, then repeat the cycle!

Follow up with a walk in the sand to burn at least twice the kilojoules of normal walking, and tone your legs, hips, bum and back.

The Benefits of Salt Water

• Saltwater makes your skin feel great, but is it good for it? Yes, says Prevention expert and dermatologist Dr Stephen Shumack, thanks to its cleansing and antiseptic properties.

• Surf is said to be a great source of negative ions, but what are they? These negatively charged particles purify the air and may also boost your levels of serotonin.

MORE: MORE SWIMMING TIPS