New Celebrity Fitness Trend: Scuba Diving

Monday, 1/23/2012 at 9:39:32 AM

By Jennipher Walters 

Sick of the gym or the cold winter weather? Then it's time to try the new workout that celebs like Jessica Alba, Sandra Bullock, Katie Holmes, and Nina Dobrev of the CW show The Vampire Diaries love: scuba diving! Although scuba diving may seem like more of a fun vacation activity rather than a workout, scuba burns tons of calories while tightening and toning your body.

"Scuba diving provides a full body workout that combines cardio and strength training to burn calories, tone muscles and even improve breathing" says Theresa Kaplan, director of communications for The Professional Association of Diving Instructors(PADI). "Although your body is buoyant underwater and you feel virtually weightless while scuba diving, maneuvering through water requires constant motion by your entire body, thus toning and strengthening muscles in your thighs, shoulders and your core."

In fact, just 30 minutes of scuba diving can burn up to 400 calories for the average woman. Most diving excursions last about 30 to 45 minutes, so depending on the diver’s experience level and the type of dive, it's not uncommon to burn 500+ calories during one workout. 

One of the best things about scuba diving though — and the reason why so many celebrities enjoy it — is because it doesn't feel like a workout. 

"The act of exploring the underwater world and being one amongst a sea of unique creatures and organisms is an exhilarating and life-changing experience unlike no other,"

Kaplan says. "Scuba diving provides a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, which is why so many people, celebrities included, are drawn to this activity."