Swimming for Fitness – And Fun!

The Benefits Of Swimming For Fitness

I’ve been talking recently about outdoor exercise, because it’s just so much more beneficial than the same exercise done indoors.

And swimming is great outdoor exercise!

When I wrote about the 5 best outdoor workouts, it was tough to only suggest 5.

So here’s why I love swimming so much.

Swimming is one of those exercises that’s hard to hate!

It’s gentle and yet fun at the same time.

Most people enjoy a dip in the pool, so why not turn that dip into some laps as a form of exercise?

There are many fitness benefits from swimming – if you’re not convinced, keep reading.

Swimming Is Great Cardio

Swimming requires a lot of energy and burns a lot of calories.

Why? Because when you swim, you need to move your whole body instead of just your legs or your arms.

Swimming works your body and heart the same way any cardio workout, such as dancing or running, would. So if you take up swimming for your fitness, you will work your heart and boost your metabolism at the same time.

Insider tip: A great way to maximise the exercise benefit of swimming is to do interval training. Do high-intensity sprint swimming, then do an easier workout. Repeat.  This way you’ll push your body hard but you’ll be able to do so for a longer period.

Swimming Is Great For Strength Training

As well as being good for a cardio workout, swimming also challenges the muscles all over your body – it’s great for increasing overall body strength.

The water resistance you face while swimming forces your muscles to work harder – just like traditional forms of strength training.  You’ll be able to gain some muscle and tone up your body at the same time.

Swimming is also widely used as therapy to strengthen injured muscles, because the water resistance provides a good workout without giving stress to the injured body parts.

Swimming Is Great For Everybody!

The great thing about swimming is that everybody can do it and enjoy it.

• It’s suitable for every age group and fitness level
• you can decide how hard to push yourself when you swim

The elderly can benefit from swimming since the water gives good body support – it’s fitness without worrying about back or joint injuries.

Swimming is a great family activity: you can have fun together and stay healthy at the same time. If you bring little kids along to the pool, though, be sure to always keep an eye on them to prevent any accidents.

And even if you can’t swim (like me – yes, I know, it’s daft!), you can still exercise in a pool (I just hold on to the edge, or avoid the deep end. Not quite as efficient, but good exercise all the same).

When you go on holiday you’ll probably be able to continue your routine as many accommodation options offer a pool or the sea for swimming.

Swimming is Green!

Although individual swimming pools are not necessarily very green (find out how you can make them more eco friendly here), using the pool at your gym or your local public swimming pool means you’re using a shared resource, which is much greener.

(It’s the same idea as with trains and buses – shared resources have a much smaller carbon footprint).  And if you’re close to the sea – perfect, you’re not using anything extra, the sea is there anyway.

You don’t need any special equipment to swim other than a swimsuit or trunks, so that also reduces its carbon impact.

And of course, swimming is a great way to cool down on a hot day – much more eco friendly than air conditioning!

Please spread the green word about swimming – sharing buttons below and right – thank you!