It is a very good thing if you are using swimming as your exercise. Swimming is the fourth most popular sport or activity in the US. It’s not hard to understand why. It’s something you can do on your own, doesn’t require any equipment (other than a body of water!) and if you live near a lake or the sea, or have your own pool, you can do it for free. Swimming is also one of the best forms of exercise out there. Read on to learn about five of the amazing health benefits of swimming as exercise.
1. It’s a Full Body Workout
Swimming is a form of exercise that uses your whole body. Unlike some other activities that only work certain muscles, swimming is a full-body exercise that means all your key muscles will be getting a workout. You’ll never be in danger of looking like a top-heavy gym bunny who always skips leg day.
2. It’s Low Impact
Water supports 90% of your weight whilst you’re swimming, so the impact on your body is minimal. If you’ve worn out your knees running on hard roads, or thrown out a shoulder playing racquet sports, then swimming can make a very pleasant change. In fact, swimming is a great option for people who have suffered an injury, have arthritis, or even if you’re pregnant.
3. It Reduces Stress
Regular swimming has been shown to reduce stress levels. Not only will you feel less stressed, but swimming can also reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety, and can even help you to sleep better. If you’re looking for a way to work off the stresses of daily life, swimming is a great choice. You could even add a pool to your home; you can design your pool to fit the space available and swim whenever you want.
4. It Burns Calories
If you’re looking to lose weight, one of the best ways is to burn more calories than you take in. Swimming is a great way to do just that. Swimming burns more calories over the same period of time than briskly walking does. In fact, a gentle swim can burn more than twice as many calories as walking, and a fast swim can burn more calories than cycling or running.
5. It’s Great Cardio
Swimming is a great cardiovascular workout. That makes it an ideal workout for your heart health. In addition, it can also reduce your risk of many other conditions such as high blood pressure, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. If you’re looking for a form of exercise that will keep you fit and healthy, then you can’t go far wrong with swimming.
If you’re thinking about taking up swimming as exercise we say go for it! As far as we’re concerned, the best form of exercise is the one you’re most likely to get out there and do.
If you’re looking to add some structure to your workouts, then why not consider Aaptiv? With unlimited access to thousands of workouts, we’re sure you’ll find something to meet your exercise goals. Feel free to take a good look around the site.