The best exercises are those that don’t feel like exercises. If you don’t enjoy doing static or dynamic sessions, there are still ways you can train. You simply need to find some fun things to do underwater. Here are some ideas.

Freediving games

Anything done in the pool on breath hold qualifies. Bang bang, chess, or series of rock paper scissors or the penny race (from the manual of freediving by Pelizarri & Tovaglieri).

The kicking relay

This exercise helps you with your comfort and posture underwater. Try to kick perfectly vertical (into the floor of the pool). The first diver goes down on RV, FRC or full lungs, and kicks twice once the hands are on the floor. Once the first diver is up the second diver goes down and does two kicks. And so forth. For each round the amount of kicks increase. Three divers is ideal (last one to dive becomes the safety for the next diver).

The weight walk

In this exercise the freediver carries a heavy weight along the bottom of the pool. It is difficult to move fast underwater while holding a heavy weight, so this exercise forces you to relax.

The slow crawl

A simple crawl along the bottom, as slow as you can. Feel the water glide over your hands and face and relax. Time spent is more important than distance for this exercise.

Frog flow

Lounge on the bottom for a while, and then leap like a frog. Repeat. Try to focus on all the sensations in your body. Again time spent is more important than distance.

Beat up your buddy

Underwater jujitsu, karate, or other martial arts are a great workout. We realized this after spending a pool session with a couple freedivers that work as film stunt performers. Keep it fun and safe… no intense choke holds. Unless you really don’t like your buddy.

Puzzle

In case you do not have enough divers in the pool for two divers to go down simultaneously for games, some fun puzzles will do. A rubiks cube is a great way to increase your comfort level underwater without focusing on the clock. Just stop before it gets too frustrating ;).

Remember to always make sure you are practicing safe and every diver down has a dedicated safety diver. Let us know how you spend time in the pool!