Swimming is among the best activities you can add to your weekly fitness routine, and here are several reasons you should add it! For many people, swimming is an enjoyable way to get exercise while they enjoy the summer weather at the pool or the beach. Swimming, on the other hand, could offer an excellent total-body workout, challenge your cardiovascular system, raise muscular tone in the proper places, and improve overall stamina and endurance. If you’re looking for new ways to keep fit and healthy this summer, consider adding swimming to your regimen!
1) Weight Loss
Swimming is an excellent way to build muscle, lose fat, and boost metabolism. According to research, aerobic exercisers, such as swimmers, have a lower body fat percentage and a greater resting metabolic rate than non-exercisers. People who lose weight through aerobic activities such as swimming are also more likely to maintain the weight off compared to those who do not exercise at all.
Not only does it get your heart rate up, but it’s low impact, so you don’t have to worry about injuring yourself. And who doesn’t want to feel that refreshing summer breeze on their skin?
2) Cardiovascular Fitness
With few exceptions, swimming is the perfect cardiovascular workout. The wide arm motion of freestyle exercises the upper body and provides a strong aerobic activity for the entire body. Less-intense strokes, such as breaststroke and backstroke, are also great for building endurance and toning muscle without putting too much strain on joints. Resistance or weight training can be done at the pool’s shallow end with equipment such as kickboards, pull buoys, or inflated armbands.
3) Strengthen Your Core
Swimming is an excellent exercise form since it engages many different muscle groups at once. By doing a variety of strokes, you can also work your lower and upper body simultaneously, making for an efficient workout. It’s also a low-impact sport that is good for people with joint problems. And unlike other sports where a hard surface bounces your body up and down, swimming takes the impact out of the equation because your head always stays on top of the water.
4) Improve Flexibility
It improves flexibility, reduces the risk of osteoporosis, and can help people with metabolic syndrome by reducing insulin resistance. In addition, research has found that swimming at least 10 hours a week provides an excellent aerobic workout, improving cardiovascular health and stamina while burning around 890 calories in a half-hour session. With all of these wonderful advantages, it’s no surprise that people looking for a pleasant method to exercise are increasingly turning to swimming exercises.
5) Make Friends In The Water
It’s a common misconception that swimming is only good for your cardiovascular system. While it does help improve cardio health, the bulk of its benefits come from the water pressure on your muscles and joints. The buoyancy of the water can strengthen and rehabilitate your arms, shoulders, back, hips, and legs. In addition, you don’t have to worry about using weights or equipment as you do with other exercises. As long as you’re mindful of safety and use the correct form, any person can swim!
