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We’ve all seen professional swimmers. They are toned, muscular, strong and healthy. They have a physique that would encourage most people to show it off at the local swimming pool were they equally blessed! But why is this? Why is it that swimming seems to be the best exercise for a healthy body and all around fitness? Here we look at the reasons why but just think of these factors to start with…great muscle tone, stamina, all around fitness, cardiovascular without impact…That’s surely enough to make you read on!

 

Dark Nights

As the days shorten, you might be thinking why swimming? Well, if you think back to the Olympics, then you’ll surely remember some of the swimmers that paraded across our television screens, and what wonderful examples of healthy bodies they all were! That alone should be enough inspiration to look for swimming pools nearby.

Furthermore, the best time to start a new exercise regime is right now. With many months of hard work before next summer, you too can get all the benefits by the time it rolls around. Although you’ll feel benefits within a real short period of time, the true range of benefits will be much more apparent in about 6 months, just in time for summer and now, a time of over indulgence, is probably the best time to start anyway.

 

Body & Mind

Whilst exercising your body in an all over workout, swimming also gives you something else, a chance to relax your mind and give it some time off. With mental wellbeing becoming a more recognised need for all of us, it is great to gain mutual benefits from only one exercise. Your mind can literally float away and relax while you undertake a great physical workout.

 

Time

You’re unfortunately never going to get to Olympic standard without the work, and if you have a full time job then this will be impossible. Not only is time spent in the pool, but there is also much strength work done in the gym. But do not despair, not all is lost.

All you need is about 3 hours per week to see a real difference. Start warming up out of the pool, perhaps on an exercise bike for 20 minutes or so to get the heart going. Ask yourself, do the swimming pools near me have a gym too?

Then get in the pool, start with 25 metre lengths, and about 16 of them, nice and steady. Stop in between each length for 10 seconds then start again. After every 8, get out and do some press ups, sit ups burpees etc. Add 4 lengths per week and as the weeks go by, reduce the breaks, and increase the speed.

Swimming is repetitive, so to stay fresh, change the stroke, but always maintain technique over speed. Doing it right is better than doing it quick. Technique will include keeping your form and your core tight, and watch your head movement. Do not sacrifice early on, otherwise the returns will not be as great.

 

Time Served

You may not notice things overnight, but give it time. Keep going with your programme, and keep pushing yourself to new challenges. Once you have found your local swimming pool, become a regular.

After some dedication and a few months, look back at a selfie of your pre-training body, and take another one to compare. You are certain to see a difference, and that is why swimming is the best exercise.

Chiino
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