Swimming can be a very effective way to lose weight and maintain a healthy cardiovascular system. While there is no definitive way to say that swimming is the best way to lose weight, personal trainer Christian Finn says that when combined with a healthy diet swimming can be an effective way to lose weight if done consistently. Swimming also has benefits over land exercise for people with certain medical conditions and the elderly.
Total Body Work-out
When you swim laps, or even just tread water, you are engaging most or all of the muscle groups in your body. You are also causing your heart to pump faster, giving your cardiovascular system a work-out. Because water is denser than air, it provides more resistance. This mean that running in place in the shallow end of a pool will burn more calories than doing the same exercise on land.
Chronic Medical Conditions
Swimming is an excellent exercise option for those suffering from medical conditions that limit mobility, like arthritis or diabetes. Because water bears much of the body's weight, swimming is a relatively low-impact exercise. People suffering from muscle aches, joint pain or back pain will find the fluid motion of swimming far less jarring than jogging, walking on a treadmill or weight lifting. Water therapy is also often used to help those with little mobility retain muscle mass.
Elderly
Swimming provides many health benefits to the elderly, who may find other land-based forms of exercise uncomfortable or difficult. Many recreation centers offer water aerobics classes targeted toward senior citizens. Performing exercises like lunges or walking in place can be much easier when the motions are cushioned by water. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, swimming can decrease disability in the elderly and also has mental health benefits.
Water Temperature
A University of Florida study found a correlation between water temperature and weight loss. Though you will burn nearly the same number of calories in cold or warm water, swimming in particularly cold water has been shown to increase your appetite, which could lead to over-eating after a work-out. The University of Florida study found that those who swam in cold water ate 44 percent more afterward when compared to those who swam in warm water. If your work-out is in a non-heated pool, keep in mind that your appetite may be increased afterward and plan accordingly by having healthy snacks on hand.
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