Many of our customers and fans are longtime swimmers who are well acquainted with the many health benefits of swimming. But we also meet a lot of novice swimmers, people toying with the idea of taking it up as part of their fitness routine, and also those who are considering getting their children in the pool on a regular basis.
To them, to you, to everyone, we say do it!
Swimming is an amazing activity! It’s a serious workout—one of very few that counts as both cardiovascular exercise and resistance-based strength training. It provides so many physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual benefits. Below is a quick look at just some of them.
What Swimming Does for You
Regular swimming:
- Reduces your risk of heart disease and stroke by promoting a lower resting heart rate and healthy body weight, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and triglycerides
- Lowers your risk of other diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, arthritis, Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, and more
- Burns plenty of calories
- Provides low-impact aerobic exercise that’s easy on the joints and bones (particularly great for older adults and those with arthritis, osteoporosis, etc.)
- Strengthens your lungs and ability to use oxygen efficiently
- Enhances circulation, oxygenation, and nutrient transport
- Builds your muscles, bone mass, stamina, running speed, and energy
- Increases flexibility and range of motion
- Works otherwise under-used muscles
- Improves your ability to fall and stay asleep
- Promotes better physical performance in sports, running and other exercise
- Promotes better concentration, clarity, and mental performance at work, school, and elsewhere
- Combats stress, anxiety, and their symptoms, like chronic aches and pains, headaches, tension, difficulty focusing, insomnia, mood swings, and others
- Relaxes you and increases general feelings of tranquility, positivity, and wellness
- Enhances your mood and fights depression
- Slows the physical and mental effects of aging
- Teaches technique and discipline
- Boosts self-confidence and self-esteem
- Makes for fantastic physical therapy in many cases
- Is so much fun!
Beyond Swimming
In addition to swimming, there are a number of other ways to exercise and enjoy these same benefits from being in the pool. Just walking as briskly as possible in water that reaches up to your chest provides a good workout. Water aerobics is another excellent form of water-based exercise, and as added benefits, classes are a wonderful social opportunity and supply motivation and accountability to help you keep up your fitness routine for the long haul.
Pool yoga is a great option for people looking in particular for extra stress-busting and mental/emotional/spiritual benefits. Also, research wall exercises to execute in the pool if you want to focus on building strength and flexibility in targeted areas, too.
