Experts recommend that adults get 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week. Are you struggling to get enough exercise? Consider the benefits of swimming as a workout!
Swimming is one of the most popular activities in the US. A swimming pool fitness regime can burn calories without stressing your joints and bones.
Still on the fence? Here are 13 amazing benefits of swimming as a workout! By diving in, you can improve your overall health, one lap at a time.
Dive in with these 13 benefits of swimming today.
1. Get a Full-Body Workout
Swimming pool fitness works out the entire body. In fact, swimming can:
- Build your endurance
- Build your strength
- Tone muscles
- Increase your heart rate
Different swimming strokes can help you add variety to your routine. At the same time, you can work out different muscle groups.
The water will create a gentle resistance, too.
Every inch of your body gets the chance to work out while you swim. It’s not just your arms and legs! Swimming can also engage the muscles in your back and strengthen your core.
If you want to workout every inch of your body out of the water, it could require two hours at the gym. Swimming, on the other hand, can work out your entire body in just 20 minutes!
2. Improve Arthritis Symptoms
Are you living with arthritis? Consider swimming as a workout. Swimming can reduce your pain and stiffness while you exercise.
Try scheduling a regular high-intensity swimming workout. Swimming can boost your heart rate without stressing out your joints. You can use a more relaxed exercise routine if you prefer, too.
Either way, you’re working out your body without aggravating your arthritis.
3. Decrease Your Heart Disease Risk
If you experience stiffness in the walls of your heart, you could suffer from carotid arterial stiffness. Developing this condition could increase your risk of heart disease. Keeping the walls flexible can reduce your risk.
Swimming pool fitness can help you lose weight. It can also lower your blood pressure and increase blood flow to the brain. Meanwhile, your risk of carotid arterial stiffness will decrease.
These benefits of swimming as a workout can reduce your risk of developing heart disease.
4. Easy on the Joints
Do you want to choose a low-intensity workout to go easy on your joints? Would you prefer a high-intensity workout to experience more benefits? With swimming, you can find the perfect balance.
Working out in the water can reduce your body weight. Your joints won’t have to take on their usual weight load. Your chance of developing an injury will drop as a result.
Swimming will ensure you take it easy on your joints and get a workout in.
5. Regulate Blood Sugar
If you’re trying to balance your blood sugar levels, start swimming as a workout. Swimming can help increase your insulin sensitivity. At the same time, you can balance your blood glucose and limit your risk of diabetes.
If you already have diabetes, swimming can help you maintain your blood sugar levels.
6. Ideal for Any Age
Swimming is the fourth most popular sports activity in the US. Two and a half hours each week in the pool can decrease your risk of chronic illnesses. With that in mind, swimming is ideal for people of any age!
In fact, water-based exercise can benefit seniors, too. Swimming can improve their quality of life and decrease their risk of disability.
Do you have trouble walking due to a chronic condition? Swimming is gentle on the body. Anyone at any age or ability can workout in the water.
You don’t have to swim laps! Instead, consider aqua aerobics. Aquarobics can keep your heart pumping while helping you build muscles.
7. Great for Pregnant Women
You can experience these benefits of swimming as a workout, even if you’re pregnant. In fact, it’s important to remain physically active during the span of your pregnancy. Swimming can help you get in a safe workout.
It can even relieve swollen joints and backaches.
Swimming an hour and a half each week can also decrease your chance of preterm delivery.
8. Boost Your Mood
Swimming as a workout can benefit your body and mind. Exercising in general can reduce depression and anxiety symptoms. Swimming regularly could reduce feelings of tension, confusion, and anger, too.
If your mood keeps fluctuating, start swimming as a workout! Its antidepressant effects can improve your quality of life.
9. Easy on Asthma Patients
Do you struggle to catch your breath? Swimming as a workout is ideal for asthma patients. Regular swimming workouts can improve your lung capacity, too.
However, chlorine could make your asthma worse. Talk to a doctor before you start swimming.
10. Burn Calories
Eager to get into shape this year? Remember, swimming is a full-body workout. Swimming can help you burn calories without causing joint stress.
In fact, you can burn more calories swimming than you would jogging!
11. Improve Your REM Cycle
Are you struggling to fall asleep each night? Swimming could help you sleep better and longer.
If you’re suffering from insomnia, consider adding swimming to your fitness routine.
12. Reduce Stress
It’s normal to feel stressed throughout the day. Swimming could help reduce your stress levels. In fact, all kinds of exercise can reduce stress.
Remember, swimming can also improve your anxiety levels. Swimming will help you feel more relaxed while stimulating “feel good” hormones. Meanwhile, reducing your stress levels can keep your body from over-producing the cortisol hormone.
Cortisol could cause negative health effects, such as weight gain.
13. Potentially Live Longer
Swimming could even help you live longer. Remember, swimming reduces your risk of chronic disease like heart disease.
Keeping your body fit and active is important, especially as you grow older. By adding swimming to your workout routine, you can keep your body at its best!
Swimming as a Workout: 13 Potential Health Benefits
Ready to dip into the water? Consider these 13 benefits of swimming as a workout. By swimming each week, you can keep your body fit and strong!
Looking for an aquatics center for fun, fitness, and leisure? Want to start taking classes? We’re here to help!
Explore our aquatics center today to get started!
