Why Swimming is Healthy

The loss of fat, inches, hypertension and stress can be among the greatest motivators in accepting the health benefits of swimming. The benefits are real, but do little good until you enter the water.

"I enjoyed every bit of my swimming career. I think that's the most important advice to enjoy what you do" Summer Sanders 1992 double gold medallist

How Can a Workout Be Fun
It may seem like an oxymoron to say that a workout can be fun, but when it comes to swimming it can be a fun activity every member of the family can participate in. The positive effects are noticeable while the impact on your body is extremely low.

Pools use chlorine to keep them clean so the use of swimming
goggles may make sense as you begin the process of getting shape through swimming. Nowadays these are even available at relatively low costs as prescription or optical swimming goggles for shortsighted and farsighted swimmers.

Weight Loss
The low impact resistance of water against your body as you swim allows a more complete workout with fewer struggles. Many find the exercise of swimming provides a more rigorous workout than the use of other fitness equipment.

Goodbye Flab
As fat is reduced and muscle structure is toned many happy swimmers find their present wardrobe has become too large for their newly sculpted frame.

Hypertension
Swimming is often recommended as a means of reducing hypertension. While no study seems to be absolutely conclusive, an individuals blood pressure does seem to decrease when you have an improved sense of well-being.

Stress Relief
The freedom of floating in water is liberating. The ability to maneuver your body in a variety of ways may allow you the best opportunity to enjoy the many stress-relieving benefits of swimming.

Other Benefits
Because of the low impact nature of swimming
people who suffer from arthritis as well as individuals unable to actively participate in other more physical activities can still enjoy and gain benefit through swimming. Many community health clubs provide swimming pools and instructions for a variety of swimming skills and requirements. You can gain little by simply thinking about swimming. Perhaps the advice of comedian Jonathan Winters might help – If your ship doesn't come in, swim out to it!

Author: Dr. Josef Reindl