As a form of physical exercise, swimming is hard to beat. If you’re bored of the gym or your evening run just doesn’t cut it anymore – here are 5 reasons to choose swimming.
1. Swimming Relieves Stress
Exercising may not be your first choice when it comes to relaxing in the evening – lounging in front of the television? Now you’re talking. But little do people realise that swimming provides greater stress relief than your favourite TV show.
Endorphins aside, not only does swimming stimulate those lovely mood-boosting hormones, but it also provides an opportunity for you to clear your mind and take perspective of your day. Some hard-hitting gym-goers hate the peace and quiet the pool provides, but if you’re in need of a serious wind-down, swimming can help.
2. Swimming Helps You Breathe
Swimming gives you breathing space – literally. On average, we breathe anything between 12-20 breaths a minute; it’s second nature to us. That being said, a large proportion of us also suffer from stress-related symptoms. In the UK alone, healthcare specialists, Bupa found that from a survey of 10,000 participants, 44 per cent suffer from stress.
The two relate – breathing and stress – a surprising amount. When we feel stressed or anxious, our muscles start to tense and tighten up. This makes breathing harder, to the extent that some people experience a shortness of breath, or even panic attacks.
Swimming helps to calm and regulate your breathing. As you work on perfecting your stroke and technique, your breathing improves alongside, which in turn can help lower blood pressure, aid weight loss and eliminate toxins. Swimming is the ideal workout for those who suffer from asthma, as it encourages you to open up your lungs and control your breathing.
3. Swimming Is Fun
Ultimately, if you’re looking for a workout that breaks up your gym routine, swimming is the exercise for you. Even if you need music to train effectively, there are waterproof earphones available now to keep you company when you’re swimming.
And remember, floats aren’t just for kids. If you’re new to the pool, a small float can help you master your stroke. Or if you’re looking to improve/concentrate on your kick, by holding the float flat or horizontal, you can create a tougher swim that’s more leg-focused. Make it fun – grab a friend and start swimming!
4. Swimming Boosts Heart-Health
As a total body workout, swimming is one of the best exercises at boosting cardiovascular health. The resistance of the water makes the heart work harder, improving circulation/blood flow as a result. The natural buoyancy and warm temperature of the pool also stops you from feeling the actual intensity of your training, allowing you to push harder and faster in your cardio workout, and strengthen your heart even further. If you want to naturally lower your blood pressure, swimming is a great way to do it.
5. Social interaction
The social benefits of swimming should not be underestimated. While swimming in itself is a solitary form of physical exercise, it’s also a hobby and team sport that can be shared with others. In this way, swimming can be a great way to meet like minded individuals to share experiences, swap swimming tips and tricks or simply enjoy a hobby together.
Many leisure centres and public pools actively encourage the social part of the sport, whether it’s through competitive swimming events, during aquatics based exercise classes or relaxing over a cuppa in the café afterwards.