Do you swim? Find out what you gain! You don’t swim? See why it’s worth getting started.
Swimming reduces body fat
An hour of swimming in the pool can burn as many calories as running (between 500 and 600 kcal/hour, depending on the swimming style chosen). At the same time swimming creates exceptional aerobic conditions for the body. It is also a very safe workout for people who are very overweight, when other high-intensity exercises are too much of a burden.
Swimming is good for your heart
According to scientific research, physical activity in water improves cardiorespiratory fitness and helps reduce hypertension. In addition, pool exercises are safe for people who are struggling with heart diseases, although in such cases training still requires consultation with a specialist.
Swimming is good for people with arthritis
Swimming offers a range of musculoskeletal benefits. Research conducted among arthritis sufferers shows that regular water training has the effect of reducing inflammation. An additional benefit of swimming is that, unlike exercising on land, there is no aggravating force pressing on our muscles during training underwater.
Swimming builds strength and muscles
When swimming, the whole body works, without any additional loads. Your muscles will strengthen and you will increase your endurance and performance. The water provides gentle resistance that is actually very strong! Thus, the training is really effective and at the same time enjoyable.
It is worth emphasising that swimming is a unique sport because you engage virtually all muscle parts during a single workout, especially the abdominal muscles, arms, buttocks, and whole legs. Under water, you are able to work even those muscle parts that you would not engage in any other workout. If you want to achieve exceptional results and sculpt your figure, choose challenging swimming styles: butterfly, crawl or backstroke.
Swimming and mental health
The fact that swimming improves mood and has a positive impact on mental health has been scientifically proven. Exercise in an aquatic environment is also recommended for people with dementia. But that’s not all: swimming also helps to deal with stress. A group of swimmers was put under the microscope, 44 of whom reported depressive states associated with chronic stress and a too fast pace of life. After swimming, only eight people reported no improvement in mood or lower stress levels.
Swimming is good for asthmatics
And this is because swimming constitutes a great breathing workout. Lung capacity is also increased. However, some studies suggest that swimming in chlorinated pools may increase the risk of asthma, so if in doubt, consult your doctor.
Swimming for a good night’s sleep
This was demonstrated in a study conducted on elderly people who struggled with insomnia. Regular aerobic exercise resulted in study participants reporting improved sleep quality and an overall improvement in quality of life.
Swimming is good after injuries
A torn muscle, a sore foot, joint problems, heel spurs – strength and aerobic sports can sometimes cause injuries and complete suspension of physical activity is not always an option. In these situations, the swimming pool will be a really good option, especially for runners. Do you know what it feels like to run in a pool, breaking the resistance of the water? Try it and you’ll see that it’s an extremely effective (and effortful) workout that also doesn’t strain your legs at all! This type of treatment is used in the rehabilitation of professional athletes.
Swimming is good for everyone
As the researchers prove: water activities have benefits for different age and health groups. For example, pain relief has been observed in people with multiple sclerosis thanks to swimming, as well as an improved sense of wellbeing.
Going to the pool is suitable for pregnant women, children, seniors, people in good health and those suffering from various illnesses. It has an invaluable effect on the spine – especially swimming on the back, which relieves pressure on the lumbar region and brings immediate relief. Even more so if you lead a sedentary lifestyle, regular visits to the pool will help you avoid pain and later problems.
As you can see, swimming is fantastic! Use the search engine to find a swimming pool near you and make the most of the summer season with a water workout.
Sources:
- Exploring the effect of aquatic exercise on behaviour and psychological well-being in people with moderate to severe dementia: a pilot study of the Watermemories Swimming Club, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24521103/
- The Health and Wellbeing Benefits of Swimming, https://www.britishswimming.org/documents/1079/1._The_Health_and_Wellbeing_Benefits_of_Swimming_June_2017.pdf
- Aerobic exercise improves self-reported sleep and quality of life in older adults with insomnia, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2992829/