The Health Benefits Of Swimming

 

Swimming is one of the most popular sports. As well as being fun, swimming is a great way to keep fit, stay healthy and make friends.

We don’t all have access to the sea or a river, but you could consider indoor pools and heated lidos which can be quite inviting when it’s cold outside.

Swimming is a healthy activity that you can continue for a lifetime. It is a low-impact and has many physical and mental health benefits.

There are a host of benefits you may gain from swimming laps regularly and here I am just listing a few:

 

WORKS YOUR WHOLE BODY

Swimming is a great workout because you need to move your whole body against the resistance of the water. It truly works your entire body, head to toe.

• Increases your heart rate without stressing your body

• Tones muscles,builds strength

• Builds endurance.

 

WORKS YOUR INSIDES TOO

While your muscles are getting a good workout, your cardiovascular system is too. Swimming makes your heart and lungs strong. Studies have shown that swimming may help lower blood pressure and control blood sugar.

IT CAN HELP PEOPLE WITH INJURIES, ARTHRITIS, AND OTHER CONDITIONS

It is important to have your doctor’s approval before beginning or resuming any exercise program. Swimming can be a safe exercise option for people with:

• Arthritis

• Asthma

• Injury

• Disabilities.

Other issues that make high-impact exercises difficult.

 

TORCHES CALORIES

Swimming is an efficient way to burn calories.

An hour of swimming burns almost as many calories as running, without all the impact on your bones and joints.

A 160-pound person burns approximately 423 calories an hour while swimming laps at a low or moderate pace.

To compare these numbers to other popular low-impact activities, that same 160-pound person would only burn around 314 calories walking at 3.5 miles per hour for 60 minutes. Yoga might burn just 183 calories per hour.

 

IMPROVES YOUR SLEEP

Swimming may have the power to help you sleep better at night. In a study on older adults with insomnia, participants reported both a boost in quality of life and sleep after engaging in regular swimming exercise.

Nearly 50% of older people experience some level of insomnia, so this is excellent news.

HELPS MANAGE STRESS

Researchers surveyed a group of swimmers immediately before and after swimming. Of the 101 people surveyed, 44 reported being mildly depressed and feeling stress related to a fast-paced life. After swimming, the number of people who still reported feeling stressed decreased to just eight. While more research needs to be done in this area, the researchers conclude that swimming is a potentially powerful way to relieve stress quickly.

 

SAFE DURING PREGNANCY

Pregnant women and their babies can also reap some wonderful rewards from swimming. Aside from potential benefits to the child, swimming is an activity that can be performed in all three trimesters.

AFFORDABLE

Swimming may also be an affordable exercise option compared to some others.

Outdoor swimming is mostly free and many pools offer reasonable rates to join.

So, could swimming be the ultimate workout?, I have been swimming since the age of 5 and treat my weekly visit to the local pool as a meditative moment to stretch and feel the freedom of movement that water gives me.  Why not giving it a try?