Let's start this Tuesday off right - with a new installment of the Exercise of the Week. Over the course of the past few months, I've highlighted several exercises that can be done either at the gym or in your home. This week, however, we're taking our workout into the water.

Look at any avid swimmer and you'll most likely see someone with long, lean, aesthetic physiques. A fantastic cardiovascular workout, swimming also utilizes just about every muscle in your body. Even the most highly trained weightlifter or long distance runner can oftentimes find themselves struggling to catch their breath after a few laps in the pool, which is why many Olympic, pro sports, and boxing trainers typically incorporate some sort of "aquacize" into their athlete's workout regimen.

For this week, let's take a look at what is the most common swim stroke (save for the doggy paddle, that is), the breast stroke. Although one of the most difficult strokes to maintain over a long period of time, the breast stroke is among the easier to perfect. The stroke is done while laying flat in the water on your chest, with the arms breaking the surface of the water only slightly and the legs underwater the entire time. The legs do what's known as a frog kick, basically because they look like the kick a frog makes when swimming.

Always be sure to swim in a pool, lake, or ocean that has a lifeguard on-duty and, just as important, do not exceed your known performance capabilities.

Note: The content presented in this post is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor or fitness professional before starting a physical fitness program.