Hi!
So I wanted to do a post on the benefits of swimming because one, I'm a lifeguard and swim instructor and I have to be able to swim at least 200yds (I get to swim for free because I work at a pool) and second is because its one of the greatest ways to work out and the health benefits of swimming are almost unmatched by other sports.
Whole body conditioning: Swimming tones your upper and lower body because you’re using almost all of your major muscle groups. The best strokes for all-over body toning are the freestyle, breaststroke and backstroke.
Low-impact exercise: So many people can reap the benefits of swimming. Pregnant women benefit from swimming because it helps strengthen the shoulder and abdominal muscles, which can be strained when carrying a baby. The elderly, women who have had a mastectomy and those recovering from an injury often turn to swimming or water aerobic exercises because it’s low impact, helps relax stiff muscles and isn’t weight-bearing. Swimming also increases circulation.
Improve blood pressure: Studies have shown that a workout routine that includes swimming can help reduce and possibly prevent high blood pressure, which lowers your risk for heart disease and stroke.
Stress reduction: You don’t have to be a water sign in the zodiac to feel the meditative and healing properties of water. Swimming is extremely relaxing because it allows more oxygen to flow to your muscles and forces you to regulate your breathing. It’s also a great way to relieve stress. Our bodies are made up of about 60% water so it’s no wonder why some feel such a draw to the water.
If laps aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other good swimming exercises. Try walking or running in water, which many people find easier to do than on land. Tread water – and I'll tell you right now it exhausting but will really help tone your legs and arms or even (my favorite) playing a game of tag in the water, so much fun!
Good luck with swimming!
XOXO
Cameron Ashleigh
Have you ever watch a professional swimmer and seen how lean and toned they looked and wished you could get that look?I know I've always admire swimmers, how they seem to move though the water so easily and yet seem so powerful at the same time, well a couple of reasons why swimming is so great is because swimming works your whole body, improving cardiovascular conditioning, muscle strength, endurance, posture, and flexibility all at the same time. Your cardiovascular system( what gets your blood system going) in particular benefits because swimming improves your body’s use of oxygen without overworking your heart and you don't have to be a professional swimmer to swim either which is really good. Some additional health benefits of swimming would be....
Whole body conditioning: Swimming tones your upper and lower body because you’re using almost all of your major muscle groups. The best strokes for all-over body toning are the freestyle, breaststroke and backstroke.
Low-impact exercise: So many people can reap the benefits of swimming. Pregnant women benefit from swimming because it helps strengthen the shoulder and abdominal muscles, which can be strained when carrying a baby. The elderly, women who have had a mastectomy and those recovering from an injury often turn to swimming or water aerobic exercises because it’s low impact, helps relax stiff muscles and isn’t weight-bearing. Swimming also increases circulation.
Improve blood pressure: Studies have shown that a workout routine that includes swimming can help reduce and possibly prevent high blood pressure, which lowers your risk for heart disease and stroke.
Stress reduction: You don’t have to be a water sign in the zodiac to feel the meditative and healing properties of water. Swimming is extremely relaxing because it allows more oxygen to flow to your muscles and forces you to regulate your breathing. It’s also a great way to relieve stress. Our bodies are made up of about 60% water so it’s no wonder why some feel such a draw to the water.
Start slowly, especially if the pool feels like foreign land. Experts recommend that beginner swimmers start with 12-20 minutes of swimming, and once your strokes become more efficient, your ability to swim longer will also. For exercise purposes, the best stroke to use in the pool is freestyle, where your arms are moving in a windmill motion while your body is pivoting and you’re breathing on the side of the arm that’s out of the water.
To keep your swimming routine fresh, try mixing up you strokes, freestyle stroke with other strokes, such as the backstroke or breast stroke. Not only will using a variety of strokes save you from boredom, but you’ll be working different muscles for a more effective workout every time.
To keep your swimming routine fresh, try mixing up you strokes, freestyle stroke with other strokes, such as the backstroke or breast stroke. Not only will using a variety of strokes save you from boredom, but you’ll be working different muscles for a more effective workout every time.
If laps aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other good swimming exercises. Try walking or running in water, which many people find easier to do than on land. Tread water – and I'll tell you right now it exhausting but will really help tone your legs and arms or even (my favorite) playing a game of tag in the water, so much fun!
Good luck with swimming!
XOXO
Cameron Ashleigh
