How to Swim Your Way to Better Health
Whether you’re already an avid exerciser, or you’re just beginning an exercise program, swimming is one of the most popular and safest ways to get fit.
In this article, we look at how to swim your way to better health with the myriad of possibilities in the swimming pool.
Why do we love swimming for your health? Because swimming is a lifetime activity. It’s something for the young, the old, and the in-between. It’s for everyone who wants a low-impact activity that’s easy on muscles, bones, and joints.
Swimming is for anyone who wants to feel better on a daily basis.
Recreational Swimming
Swimming laps is a terrific workout if you’re looking to increase your overall fitness level, tone your muscles, lose weight, or maintain a healthy lifestyle.
You can choose between five strokes: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and sidestroke.
Water is great because it provides a natural resistance that’s easy on your body. The buoyancy of the water keeps your muscles, joints, and bones from overworking and undue stress. It provides an increased range of motion because it’s a low-impact activity.
Swimming provides you with these benefits:
- Full cardio workout – it keeps your heart rate up
- Takes the impact of land exercises off your body
- Tones your whole body
- Builds strength
- Calorie burn
- Helps you maintain a healthy weight, heart, and lungs
Swimming laps is for everyone from small kids to the elderly to those with disabilities or joint pain.
Competitive Swimming
Would you like to take your lap swimming to the competitive level? It is possible. Check around for competitive teams for children and adults.
Expect freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, and breaststroke in competition.
Water Aerobics
Another option for exercising in the pool is water aerobics. You can do this in your own pool, or a community pool in your city might offer classes.
If you want to do it on your own, check YouTube for some water aerobics videos to get you started.
Water aerobics helps you tone and build your muscles while keeping your heart rate up.
Consider using pool noodles, kickboards, and swimming pool dumbbells for your strength training exercises.
Treading Water
A tried and true form of water exercise, simply tread water for 10-30 minutes for maximum benefits.
You can do this on your own or while you’re watching your children playing in the pool.
Jogging in Place
Another option is water jogging. Simply stand in the shallow end and jog in place.
This provides the same benefits as running on land without the negative side effects.
More Activities
The next time your kids are playing a game in the pool, jump in and play with them.
Consider games such as volleyball and basketball. Or, get involved as they play Sharks and Minnows, Marco Polo, and more.
The goal is to be active in the pool – anything will do!
Final Thoughts
So, you see, there is an exercise for everyone in the swimming pool. What’s more, you only need a minimum of equipment to get started – a bathing suit and goggles.
Swimming will make you feel better, both emotionally and physically. What are you waiting for? Get started today on your road to better health!
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