Why You Should Consider Swimming Next Time

While running can make a compelling case when it comes to its benefits. Sometimes, it’s the process that can make you reevaluate your fitness plan. The idea of running in hot and humid weather sounds horrible, unless you are running straight to your mailbox to check for your amazon package or straight to the shower for some good ole, cold shower.

So if you are someone who wants to embrace a healthy lifestyle, through exercise but doesn’t want to deal with heat and sweat. How about swimming? Not only it keeps you cool and relaxed, but also the added resistance can be comparable to running. In addition, swimming is kinda gentler on your body’s joints and muscles.

That’s why, here are some of the benefits/health benefits of swimming:

Cool and Mentally Relaxed

What makes swimming or any swimming-related activities different from any other forms of exercise, like running and jogging is the added benefits that it offers. First, swimming offers a sense of peace and tranquility that can help improve a person’s mental health. According to “Swim England has suggested in its report “Swimming: Taking the plunge for a fitter lifestyle” (Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) 2014)” that swimming can; help reduce anxiety, allow relaxation in the body, improve mood and depression. While more scientific studies need to be done, regarding the health benefits in order to have robust data, it can’t be denied that swimming after a long day or especially during hot and humid weather, can really put you in a good mood.

All around, body workout

Water is much denser than air. So the resistance is much greater as compared to just walking inland. Which means when in water, your muscle groups have to work a little bit extra than it used to when you are on land. One of the main benefits of swimming is that it engages all areas of the body to work. In order to stay afloat and push through the water. The body is not meant for swimming, unlike aquatic animals such as dolphins, where their bodies are built for life on the water. That’s why professionals or Olympic swimmers will try to reduce drag as much as possible. Through a combination of technique and equipment. So take note, it’s important to have the proper equipment like swimming caps, wetsuits and many more. Whether you are a beginner or a professional. Caps are also helpful to keep the damaging effects of chlorine in your hair.
Low Impact and good for cardio

The resistance that the water creates means that the body that body has to exert more effort. In order to move, the heart will have to pump more blood into the different parts of your body. Which elevates the heart rate. Improving your body’s circulation system. In terms of impact, because of the water’s density, it provides a feeling of weightlessness. The water supports a majority of your body weight which provides relief on your body’s joints. Great for people who are experiencing joint problems.
Open to Almost Anyone

What makes swimming (also includes aquatic exercises like water aerobics) an ideal sport or recreational activity is that almost anyone can participate. Especially for elderly folks and people with disabilities. Unlike other forms of physical activities or exercise that require extensive use of hands and feet. Swimming provides a much gentle approach for most cases. For the elderly, as the body ages, it’s hard for them to maintain a sense of balance. This is due to the impaired ability of the central nervous system to maintain the body’s upright position. There are also age-related conditions, susceptibility to falling or physical injuries, and many more. This makes elderly people have limited options when choosing a physical activity. As for people with disabilities, swimming or any aquatic exercises like Pediatric aquatic therapy can help perform physical activities that would otherwise be impossible on the land. (Lai et al., 2015).
Burn more calories

Probably one of the most intense-calorie-burning-physical activities would probably swimming. Because you are trying to push yourself through a medium that is again, much denser than air. It requires more energy as compared to any land-based physical activity. More energy means more calories. But of course, the amount of calories burned, entirely depends on a person’s body weight, age, and overall health. To give you an idea of the estimated amount of calories burned through swimming as compared to other forms of exercise, here is a study that illustrates the number of calories burned here is the example.