Nothing ticks all the fitness boxes quite like swimming!
Whether you’re looking to build muscle, lose weight or transform into a cardio god or goddess, swimming provides the perfect full-body workout with minimal risk of injury. Great for people of all ages, it’s an excellent choice for cross-training at every skill level. Best of all, the only thing that’s required is you, a bathing suit and the deep blue. Still, need convincing? Take a breath and dive in!
Improves Muscle Definition
One of the best things about swimming is that it builds every muscle in your body. No nook, cranny or stone is left unturned. Unlike running, which builds muscle in the legs, swimming utilizes every core group as you move through the water. Your legs kick, your arms pull, and even your stomach and back get in on the action as they power your strokes.
Helps You Lose Weight
Believe it or not, swimming can be just as efficient as power-walking on the treadmill and it’s a great way to burn calories. It all depends on the swim stroke and intensity. For example, you can burn 60 calories by 10 minutes of swimming with the breaststroke.
Improves Flexibility
The range of motion involved in swimming lengthens the muscles in ways that can make your joints more flexible. Add to that the natural buoyancy of the water, and it creates a therapeutic stretching effect in a similar way to yoga and Pilates.
Can Make You Smarter
All exercise is great for the mind, but can swimming really make you smarter? A study by the Griffith Institute of Educational Research in Australia found that young swimmers (children aged up to five) tended to be much more advanced in terms of their social, intellectual and language development than their same-age non-swimming peers.
And it probably wouldn’t hurt to jump in the pool yourself!
May Lengthen Your Life
Water-based activities may provide the ultimate anti-aging workout according to a study conducted by the University of South Carolina. They followed 40,547 men, aged 20 to 90, for over 32 years. The results showed that those who swam had a 50 percent lower death rate than runners, walkers, or men who didn’t exercise.
Isn’t that reason enough to dig out your trunks and jump in?
Swimming Pools for Sale at Midnight Sun Pools n’ Spas
So, there you have it. Everything you need to know about the benefits of swimming! Be sure to stay hydrated and consult with your doctor if you have concerns about your ability in attempting any of these exercises.
Are you looking for more innovative swim solutions? Browse our wide selection of high-quality pools and swim spas or visit us in store! We look forward to serving you!
