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LIFESTYLE
Builds Muscle
The resistance in water is far greater than that in air. Therefore, swimming and water-based exercise will help
build muscle faster than land resistance training. When you swim, you use all the large muscle groups: your
arms to move forward, your legs for lift and to move faster, your back muscles to help power your arms and
your core to stabilize your body as you move through the water. Regular swimming will help develop your
long, lean muscles, which support the smaller muscles you develop during your land-based weight training.
Improves Flexibility
By using all of the body’s muscles at once, stretching and lengthening the body with every stroke,
engaging the hips and moving the head from one side to the other, you’ll improve your flexibility.
No other single exercise provides the range of motion swimmers experience when moving their
body in the water. Heated pools can further improve range of motion and are particularly
effective for people who have arthritis or have been sedentary for some time.
Controls Weight
Swimming is more effective at burning calories than
running on a treadmill.
No matter your weight, the
water will make you feel lighter
and better able to exercise your
large muscle groups than if you used
land-based gym equipment alone.
Lowers Stress
Water is calm and relaxing. Going for a
regular swim can help you forget about the
pressures in your life and help you focus on
what’s really important. While swimming, you’re
forced to focus on your body and the movements
required to keep you moving in the water. This helps
the swimmer tune out the rest of the world. Those who
enjoyed swimming as a child are often reminded of those
happy memories when they get in the water later in life. Like all physical exercise,
swimming releases endorphins. Simply going for a short swim every morning is a
great way to start the day in a good mood.
Swimming produces effects similar to yoga for many people. The deep, rhythmic
breathing and constant stretching relax the body while improving mood. Both swimming
and yoga have been shown to reduce anxiety as well as depression.
Benefits of Swimm
Improves Cardiovascular Function
According to the American Heart Association, a minimum of 30 minutes
of exercise per day can reduce heart disease in women by up to 40 percent. Increasing the intensity and
adding 10 minutes to the workout can help lower your cholesterol and blood pressure, thus reducing
your risk of a stroke or heart attack. A second study compared the cholesterol levels, blood pressure and
maximum energy output of 46,000 people who were swimmers, runners, walkers or sedentary. The swimmers
performed better on all of the tests, followed by walkers.