Have you ever considered swimming as a way to exercise? Swimmers are some of the most in-shape athletes in the world and those who dive into a pool regularly know the physical benefits of this type of exercise. Here are some of the health benefits swimming provides.
Cardiovascular Endurance: Swimming is a good choice for those looking to increase lung and heart capacity. If you swim at a decent pace for 20-40 minutes, it’s like any other aerobic exercise. This sport puts less demand on the heart, so your heart rate will be slightly lower; an ideal target heart rate will be 10 to 20 bpm less than your usual cardio workout.
Full Body Workout: Did you know swimming is the only sport completed horizontally rather than vertically? While you’re in the pool, both your upper and lower body are toned at the same time because you’re using both muscle groups to glide through the water.
Low-Impact: If you’re looking for something that’s easy on the joints, swimming is perfect. According to Berkeley Wellness, “Exercising in warm water, in particular, can relieve joint stiffness and pain and increase flexibility.” The non-weight-bearing effects of water takes pressure off of the spine and other joints, helping your entire body relax while boosting circulation.
Blood Pressure: Various studies have concluded that swimming reduces high blood pressure and even prevents it from happening in the first place. This causes a chain reaction by lowering the risk of heart disease and stroke. Swimming also reduces stress levels because it increases oxygen flow to your muscles and forces you to control your breathing.
If you’re new to the sport, start out slowly by swimming a maximum of 20 minutes. For tips on technique and workout routines, consider having a swim lesson, browsing youtube and looking online. Once you have the basics down, start to increase your time in the pool. Swimming is an excellent way to change up your physical activity routine. You’ll start to see an improvement in your cardiovascular endurance, blood pressure, and stress levels. Happy Swimming!