As you know by now, there are many different ways to stay fit, active and healthy. Different strokes for different folks, as they would say! If you want to ensure that you’ve found the right kind of training you enjoy, are good at and that gets you the results you want, you have to try everything. One of the many activities that often get overlooked is swimming. People who have done this sport for exercise often only have great things to say about the activity. So what is it that makes itsuch a great form of exercise. What is the big deal?
Here are a few pointers to, and benefits of, swimming as physical exercise.
1. Swimming is Considered Cardiovascular Exercise
This means that it is great for your heart health and for improving your cardiovascular fitness.
2. It is Low Impact
Swimming does not impact the joints and tendons as much as most other types of exercise do. This is because you are working against the resistance of the water so there is less stress on your body overall.
3. Swimming Works All the Muscles in Your Body
You need to activate and use your arms, legs, back, core and shoulders to move through the water, making it an incredible full-body workout. Swimming is, therefore, a great way to improve your overall core body strength as it works all muscle simultaneously.
4. Swimming Builds and Improves your Endurance, Muscle Strength and Cardiovascular Fitness.
5. It is a great way to detox after an intense weight-, cycling or running session
Swimming flushes out toxins owing to lactic acid build-up and can also help you recover from a workout quicker.
6. It increases your lung capacity and decreases asthma symptoms
During a swimming session, your lungs need to work harder than they usually would during a workout to supply enough oxygen to you blood because water is denser than air. This forces your lungs into overdrive.
7. Swimming is good for your posture
If you think about it, it is the only exercise where you are not upright . Swimming allows you to get a good sweat session in while horizontal, improving your posture and preventing back injuries and back pain.
8. Swimming has Many Mental Benefits
Apart from the endorphin spike you will experience, swimming allows you to get back outside (if you’re swimming in open water) and leave your problems and stresses on dry land. It destresses, relaxes and reduces anxiety and depression, as well as improves your sleep!
9. It is a Great Family Activity
Especially if you have small children who need to get used to water or learn how to swim. Make it a fun family outing and teach your kids about the importance of exercise at the same time!
So, if you are looking to spice up your training regime and reach your weight loss or fitness goals at the same time, then you should definitely consider swimming as exercise. As you can see, it is kind of a big deal!
On Trifocus Fitness Academy’s Personal Training Certification, you’ll learn about the biomechanics of swimming – as well as many other exercises – so that you can recommend the perfect exercise to your clients! Click here for more information.