Is Swimming The Ideal Exercise Choice For All?
Whether you enjoy the occasional leisurely dip in the swimming pool or competing for your club team, we all know that swimming provides great benefits to health and wellbeing. And with today’s hectic pace of life, it’s never been more important to dedicate time to taking care of ourselves and using that time wisely to improve our health, fitness and general wellbeing.
Here are four reasons to consider fitting swimming into your workout routine:
#1 Swimming Boosts Mindfulness
While most forms of exercise are proven to release endorphins and aid mental wellbeing, the act of swimming forces you to truly ‘live in the moment’ as your visual focus is solely on the water not easily distracted by anything around you. In addition, the sound of the rushing water as you move aids in transporting you to a ‘zen’ like mental state – helping you to switch off from the stresses of the day. Swimming has even been referred to as the Moving Meditation, a great option if you aren’t keen on traditional meditation styles. Here's 4 useful tips for turning your swimming routines into moving meditation.
#2 Time Savvy Workouts
Did you know that exercising in water makes your body work harder than on dry land? So swap that 45 minute exercise class the other side of town for a 30 minute aquatic workout instead when time is of the essence. Here's 8 more benefits of swimming that you may not be aware of. And don't worry, we understand that not everyone has the space for traditional swimming pools so our superb range of swimspas allows you to swim in place with the added benefits of easy installation of a unit that is totally self-contained.
#3 Swimming Can Help Relieve Asthma Symptoms
It can prove difficult trying to find the most suitable form of keeping fit when you suffer from asthma or respiratory system complaints, particularly as breathing in cold, dry air is often a trigger for symptoms. The air you breathe in while swimming (particularly indoors) is moist, warm and humid which does not cause the same irritation in the lungs and airways – helping asthma sufferers to enjoy a work out without the additional struggle of battling symptoms. Here's more information on why regular exercise offers many benefits for people with asthma.
#4 Full Body Workout Minus The Impact
Every stroke and kick when swimming provides excellent resistance, as water is denser than air, and while your limbs are working hard your core stability comes into play to keep your head, neck and spine stable while your heart and lungs pump simultaneously. This combination of factors ticks every box in the great workout checklist; Aerobic Fitness, Core Stability Strengthening and Muscle Building/Definition. Swimming is also a low-impact form of exercise, making it the ideal choice for those recovering from injury or suffering from joint and mobility issues.
Regardless of your ability level, swimming can provide some unique health and wellness benefits for everyone - whether you are 8 months or 80 years old!
