Swimming is considered to be a healthy and relaxing activity. It tones the body and provides an excellent cardiovascular workout as well. Moreover, it also strengthens your heart muscles and improves the delivery of oxygen to the different parts of the body.
Experts and trainers opine that this sport can be of extremely great help to your health and if included in the daily regimen, it is bound to yield marvelous results.
The health benefits of swimming
According to the U.S. Water Fitness Association (USWFA), swimming provides individuals with several physical, social and mental benefits. Some of them include improved strength and flexibility, enhanced muscular stamina and balance, a stronger heart, and better physique or figure. Apart from this, swimming also works as a fast and effective remedy for healing muscles.
Swimming also helps in weight control and can relieve your mind from stress and tension, fueling your energy level to a large extent. This is will keep you in perfect shape, physically as well as mentally. Swimming can be very beneficial to your heart, lungs, and muscles. Regular swimming builds up muscle strength and stamina, and also improves posture and flexibility.
Swimming can particularly be quite helpful for individuals who are obese, or individuals suffering from leg or lower back problems. This activity offers some aerobic benefits and unlike other weight training programs, swimming does not put strain on connective tissues.
Swimming can be a wonderful recreational activity for individuals and families. This activity can gradually increase your heart rate and stimulate your muscle activity. Moreover, swimming improves blood circulation through your muscles to help them recover, and help you relax as you glide through the water.
Swimming is a great calorie burner
Swimming burns 3 calories a mile per pound of bodyweight. For instance if you weigh 150 lbs and it takes you roughly about 30 minutes to swim one mile, then you can expect to lose 900 calories in one hour. Swimming for fitness is quickly gaining a lot of popularity, as it can be a perfect activity for nearly anyone. This includes the most competitive athletes to the physically challenged individuals.
Research indicates that pregnant women benefit the most from swimming. It makes their abdominal muscles strong, which are most essential when carrying a baby. In addition, it strengthens the back and the muscles that help post-mastectomy women carry their weight more easily. According to experts, exercising in water can considerably reduce joint stiffness, high blood pressure, and discomfort, which is often associated with pregnancy.
Swimming is great for recovering after surgery
After a woman has just undergone a breast surgery, doctors often suggest swimming as part of the recovery process. This is considered to be an advantageous means of exercising all the major muscle groups. It is advisable that you consult a physician before commencing an exercise program. It is very important to talk to experts as they can confirm which swimming strokes are moderate and which can be strenuous.
I swim competitively year round and I can tell you from experience that swimming is extremely good exercise. I swim 3-6 miles per two hour workout. I can eat literally as much as I want with no adverse effects. It is a great sport and source of exercise.
Unfortunately British swimming pools are full of people swimming breast stroke at such a slow pace it’s impossible for anyone to swim front crawl at a reasonable speed. I spend most of my swimming sessions dodging other swimmers or swim 9-10 pm at night when the pool is almost empty!
Terry, clearly not everyone is as fit and agile as you. It’s people like you that put novices off and keep them out of the water. How about a little more consideration for differing ages, abilities and styles?
I am with Terry.
lisa, its not my fault you suck at swimming
That actually is true the swimming pools are always packed with people ! i swim at 9-10pm at night when the pool is all empty but i have lost a couple of pounds in a month !!