Swimming is one of the most fun and effective workouts out there. People of all ages, young or old, love to spend time by the pool as it is not only enjoyable but also adds so many health benefits which we aren’t even aware of!
Swimming is ideal for people who want to maintain their health and shape but have weak joints. Swimming puts no pressure on your joints and makes your bodywork in the most effective and efficient way possible.
It is a great idea to get introduced to swimming from childhood. Not only is swimming great for exercise but also an awesome life skill that people should possess. If body definition and building muscle are what you are into, then swimming should be your go-to exercise.
Why is swimming so important?
This fun and engaging workout is very enjoyable, especially on a hot sunny day. Apart from the fun aspect, swimming offers a myriad of health benefits, some clearly visible and some hidden from the public.
Have you noticed how you get so hungry after you are done swimming? This shows that swimming is one sport which increases your metabolism because all parts of your body are actively involved in the process.
You also feel energized and refreshed. Water has so many healing properties and swimming lets you engage with all these wonderful properties head-on. People who suffer from back pain or trouble in the joints are told by their doctors to swim so that the water can take the pressure off their pain points.
This is also referred to as hydrotherapy and gives the patients a lot of relief. Swimming also helps you maintain your heart rate and distressed the body. It is also known to improve the immunity of the body and works extensively on your breathing.
Children who swim from a younger age are healthier, more energetic and overall more fit. Swimming helps form a healthy body and a healthy mind.
Additional Read: How to sterilize your swimming pool during the COVID-19 pandemic?
How often should you swim?
Like everything else in the world, too much of a good thing can be bad as well. When we work out, it is always advised to leave one day out from a week for your body to repair and heal itself.
While swimming is an extremely fun workout, it also is quite intense on the body. From a professional standpoint, swimming should be done 40 minutes three times a week (alternating days preferably). To know more read the following article – Get Into Shape With These Swim Training.
These limits are for athletes who train very extensively. They need to take more care so that they don’t end up causing permanent damage to their bodies.
If you want to swim more often, you can reduce the duration of the swimming session. But please never underestimate the power of resting and giving your body the care it deserves.
For kids who are beginning to learn how to swim, they should not cross the limit of 60 minutes three times a week. For adults, the time limit can be more flexible and can fluctuate depending on different bodies . Click here to know more.
Swimming for maintaining healthy body weight
At its core, swimming is a cardiovascular workout. These types of exercises help you burn calories and as a byproduct, lose weight. With swimming, you not only burn calories, but it also tones your body. And when we say toning, we are talking about all parts of the body – upper body, lower body, and your core.
So, with swimming, you are not only losing weight but also building and defining your muscles.
Swimming and mental wellness
What they say is true – healthy body equals a healthy mind. Any physical activity is key for you to maintain your physical as well as mental health. The times of today are filled with stress and never ending pressure. Pressure from work, from educational institutions, the list never ends.
But these pressures and stresses can be reduced by incorporating a workout like swimming in your life. Studies have shown that swimming for just about 30 minutes three times a week can help reduce your stress levels and brighten up your mood and make you a happier person in general. It also reduces the risk of depression and improves sleep patterns.
Swimming is also known to improve memory and focus. Swimming is a great way to improve your general mental wellbeing.
Swimming as a complete body workout
This awesome full-body workout is the one you should opt for if you want great muscle definition and work on your arms and shoulders. Different swimming strokes work for different parts of the body.
The butterfly and breaststroke focus more on your arms, shoulders and chest and the backstroke works on your abs, your back and your quads. It works as a great cardiovascular exercise and helps you work on the toning aspect of your muscles.
Swimming and asthma
A lot of physicians recommend asthma patients to swim because it is known to help them with their symptoms. For a lot of people, exercise can be the cause of aggravated asthma symptoms, but when swimming is done in an appropriate fashion, it can also ease the symptoms.
There are not enough studies to prove that swimming is the go-to solution for asthma patients, but it sure is one solution which seems to have worked for a few people.You can check the details here.
Swimming and its relationship with stress and quality of sleep
Swimming is known to help people have better sleep and manage their stress levels so that they can lead a healthy and satisfying life. Since swimming is a cardiovascular exercise, your body releases this neurotransmitter called Serotonin.
Low serotonin levels can cause loss of sleep and depression. A healthy serotonin level is required for you to have a great sleeping pattern and low-stress levels.