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There is a wide variety of types of exercises to try when creating a workout plan. One type to especially consider is swimming because of its numerous benefits. As a brief overview, swimming involves using the entire body to move through open water.
Swimming is a great activity that combines fun and fitness. It is unique in that it is considered low-impact but still elevates heart rate to an effective degree. The buoyancy of the water removes impact stress off of the body and makes exercising easier on the joints. Because of this, swimming can also be a good form of low-impact therapy for various injuries and conditions. Swimming also encourages endurance building, increased muscle strength, and improved cardiovascular health. Different forms of swimming allow for the toning of different muscles, but overall, swimming is very effective at burning calories. Since swimming involves moving the entire body against the resistance of the water, it proves to be a full body workout, utilizing nearly all muscles in the body.
Other benefits include improvements in coordination, balance, posture, and flexibility. Swimming can also help decrease blood pressure and control blood sugar levels. Some experience improvement in quality of sleep and life due to performing regular aerobic exercise such as swimming. Related to this, swimming is a relaxing and peaceful form of exercise that can help alleviate stress. Some have reported that swimming is a good option for people with asthma, since it incorporates breathing exercises such as holding one’s breath. This expands lung capacity and improves control over breathing over time.
Swimming is a very efficient form of exercise. It combines three major types of exercise into one: aerobics, stretching, and strength. Not all swimmers need to be at the Michael Phelps level to get a good workout in. There are many different types of strokes with varying levels of difficulty. Some methods don't even involve putting your face in the water (if that is something you don't want to do). If lap swimming does not sound like a good idea, there are other forms of aquatic exercise that can be performed in shallow water. For example, there are trainer-led exercise classes, usually involving water weights or flotation devices. Even walking around in shallow water with the resistance of the water proves to be beneficial for bones and muscles. Swimming is a good form of exercise for all age groups and people of any fitness and skill level. However, swimming is not recommended for people with heart disease or seizure disorders due to the possibility of a life threatening event happening in the water. Individuals that plan to practice swimming should also be strong enough to enter and exit the water without excessive difficulty.
Overall, swimming provides a multitude of benefits and serves as a great form of exercise for many different people. It is also an affordable exercise option. The only things you need to purchase are a swimsuit and goggles. Many pools offer reasonable rates and some even have hours for free. Also, swimming can also be performed for free in open water such as in the ocean or a lake.
So, when are you gong to start adding swimming to your weekly routine?
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