Swimming – The Heart Healthy Exercise
Taking care of your heart is extra important, and it’s something you hear a lot about in February since it’s National Heart Month.
Here at Townley Pool and Spa, we think about heart health all the time because swimming is our business, and it’s our favorite type of exercise.
Why do we love it? Well, in addition to toning your muscles, swimming improves cardiovascular health, too.
In this article, we look at swimming – the heart healthy exercise.
Heart Benefits of Swimming
Because swimming is aerobic exercise, it strengthens your heart and makes it more efficient at pumping blood through your body. Better blood flow is just better for you.
How much swimming is enough? Just 30 minutes a day can reduce your risk of coronary heart disease. It can also reduce your blood pressure to healthy levels. What’s more, swimming can raise your good cholesterol levels which in turn reduces your rate of dying from heart disease.
The best part about swimming is you can do it at any age. It’s a great exercise for people with injuries or aching joints. The water’s buoyancy takes care of making you feel better than you would exercising on land.
More benefits of swimming exist, too. Check them out:
Swimming Prevents Diabetes
You can reduce your risk of diabetes by exercising and burning calories on a regular basis. The more active you are, the better your chance at reducing your risk of getting Type 2 Diabetes.
If you already have diabetes, exercise like swimming can help. Aim for at least 150 minutes per week, for at least three days per week to reduce symptoms
Swimming Reduces Stress
It’s a proven fact that exercise reduces stress. Since swimming is a great overall exercise, and you enjoy the effects of the water, you know that swimming regularly means you stress less.
Plus, by being outside, you reap the benefits of spending time in the fresh air.
Swimming Keeps Your Weight in Check
As a huge calorie burner, swimming can help you keep control of your weight.
While the number of calories you burn in the pool depends on factors like how vigorous you swim and for how long, you can count on burning at least 60 calories per 10 minutes of swimming laps, depending on your chosen stroke.
Swimming Feels Good
Aching joints? Sore muscles? Swimming will make you feel better.
Swimming is a resistance exercise that doesn’t put pressure on your body, so you relax knowing your bones won’t ache after.
If you happen to suffer from arthritis, swimming is a great choice as the water support most of your body weight. If the pool is heated, the warm water feels good on your joints.
Final Thoughts
We’ll leave you with one final thought – get in the pool!
Whether it’s a pool in your backyard or your neighborhood pool or gym, swimming is a heart healthy exercise that can actually save your life.
