Looking for a new summer activity? Make a splash and explore what's underwater with scuba diving.
Scuba diving is a cardiovascular activity that burns calories and boosts your fitness level. The best part? You'll be so busy sightseeing under the sea that you won't even realize you're getting a full-body workout.
"Although scuba diving is not a replacement for a solid exercise program, it is a nice supplement to your current fitness activities, as it uses specific muscle groups in the core, legs, glutes and arms," says Kelly Rockwood, a PADI Americas training consultant and course director.
Explore the ocean, burn calories, and have fun while trying a new activity. Rockwood shares her expertise to help you get ready for your diving experience.
More: The Benefits of Water Workouts
What makes scuba diving a great workout?
Scuba diving is a physical activity that strengthens and tones muscles at a moderate level and allows people to build some physical activity into vacation, travel and free time as well as get a whole new view of the world.
How many calories can you burn?
Caloric burn while diving varies depending on a diver's weight, physical fitness level, water currents and the style of diving. For instance, exploratory cave diving may burn more calories than zen diving, or leisure diving. Depending on these variables, a diver can expect to burn roughly 500-plus calories in one dive.
In general, one can compare diving to swimming, yoga or other low-impact sports. Diving on a vacation can burn enough calories to prevent weight gain even when splurging on dessert or cocktails with dinner.
