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Reasons to Like Swimming

Sep 12, 2011 | By Marcy Brinkley
Reasons to Like Swimming
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Emmett Hines, author of "Fitness Swimming," calls swimming the only true life-long sport because people can enjoy the water in infancy and continue swimming throughout old age. If you have the opportunity, time and inclination to learn and practice the necessary skills, swimming can be a near-perfect sport because it exercises your cardiovascular system, joints and muscles without the risk of musculoskeletal injury. Before beginning a swimming regimen, consult your health care provider and take the time to learn the basics of the sport.

Low Impact Exercise

Water's buoyancy allows people to exercise vigorously without injury to the bones, joints or muscles. Water supports the body, making swimming suitable for people with many types of physical limitations, including arthritis, obesity, advanced age and skeletal injuries. Before starting a swimming program, however, check with your health care provider to ensure that it is suitable for you. People with pre-existing injuries or disabilities should also consult a trainer or swimming coach for advice about preventing further injury.

Burns Calories

Swimming can help you lose weight but the number of calories expended depends on your weight, as well as the intensity and length of your workout. In 30 minutes of lap swimming, for example, 150-pound person burns about 215 calories exercising at a leisurely pace or 285 calories swimming at a moderate pace, according to FitnessforWeightLoss.com. A 250-pound person burns about 360 calories swimming laps at a leisurely pace or 475 calories swimming at a moderate pace for 30 minutes.

Full-Body Workout

Swimming works your heart and lungs while it tones and strengthens your muscles, especially those in the arms, shoulders and torso. The resistance of the water increases the work your body must do as it moves through the pool so regular swimmers tend to develop strong, lean upper bodies. Swimming also helps to improve flexibility because the water allows even injured or arthritic joints to move through a full range-of-motion, says Hines.

It's Fun

Swimming can seem boring if you swim laps using the same stroke every time so consider learning some drills, timing your workouts, mixing up your strokes and swimming intervals -- alternating fast and slower laps -- for part of your routine. If you dislike exercising alone, join a class or arrange to swim with a buddy. Invest in a pair of well-fitting goggles to prevent leakage and choose a swimsuit that doesn't ride up or restrict your movement. Try using some equipment such as fins, webbed gloves or kickboards to add variety to your workout.

References

Article reviewed by Allen Cone Last updated on: Sep 12, 2011

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