Recreational swimming can provide you with a low-impact workout and it's a good way to relax and feel good. Some people who enjoy swimming want to take it to a competitive level.
This can provide the health benefits of a vigorous workout as well as the fun and thrill of competition. The distances swum in competition swimming can vary from 50 metres in a pool to much further distances in open water. Swimming is a great workout because you need to move your whole body against the resistance of the water.
Swimming is a good all-round activity because it:. Getting started in swimming is easy. It is a sport for all age groups, skill and fitness levels. Before you get started, you will need to purchase a pair of swimmers and some goggles. There are public pools throughout Australia that are open to everyone.
Entry to public pools is inexpensive and many aquatic centres offer swimming lessons for people of all ages, as well as training and exercise groups. Water also provides a gentle resistance. In one study , a week swimming program resulted in significant reduction of pain for people with MS.
These people also showed improvements with symptoms like fatigue, depression, and disability. Learn more about water therapy for MS. Swimming is an efficient way to burn calories. A pound person burns approximately calories an hour while swimming laps at a low or moderate pace. That same person may burn up to calories an hour swimming at a more vigorous pace. A pound person doing the same activities would burn between and calories an hour.
A pound person might burn between and 1, To compare these numbers to other popular low-impact activities, that same pound person would only burn around calories walking at 3. Yoga might burn just calories per hour.
And the elliptical trainer might burn just calories in that hour. Swimming may have the power to help you sleep better at night. In a study on older adults with insomnia , participants reported both a boost in quality of life and sleep after engaging in regular aerobic exercise. Nearly 50 percent of older persons experience some level of insomnia, so this is excellent news.
The study focused on all types of aerobic exercise, including the elliptical, Stairmaster, bicycle, pool, and exercise videos. Swimming is accessible to a wide range of people who deal with physical issues that make other exercises, like running, less appealing.
That can make swimming a good choice for older adults looking to improve their sleep. Researchers evaluated a small group of people with dementia, and saw an improvement in mood after participating in a week aquatic program. Exercise has been shown to boost mood in other people, as well.
Of the people surveyed, 44 reported being mildly depressed and feeling stress related to fast-paced life. After swimming, the number of people who still reported feeling stressed decreased to just eight. While more research needs to be done in this area, the researchers conclude that swimming is a potentially powerful way to relieve stress quickly.
Pregnant women and their babies can also reap some wonderful rewards from swimming. It may even protect babies against a type of neurological issue called hypoxia-ischemia, but more research is needed. Aside from potential benefits to the child, swimming is an activity that can be performed in all three trimesters. Another study shows no adverse effects of swimming in chlorinated pools while pregnant. A study found a link between reduced lung capacity and cardiovascular disease.
Essentially, swimming reigns supreme for maintaining a healthy body and mind. So dive on in -- the water's fine. News U. Politics Joe Biden Congress Extremism. Special Projects Highline. HuffPost Personal Video Horoscopes. Follow Us. Terms Privacy Policy. Part of HuffPost Wellness. All rights reserved. Enter this tried and true workout you may not have considered: swimming. Or choose multi-stroke swim. Best swimming stroke for weight loss 4th place: Breaststroke Breaststroke is a bit of a slow burner in terms of calories.
Average calorie burn: around calories for 30 minutes swimming. Breaststroke is a much better cardiovascular workout than the other strokes. It helps strengthen heart and lungs while toning thighs, upper back, triceps, hamstrings and lower legs. It helps to work and tone the chest muscles. Practising keeping yourself straight in the water can help you to lengthen your spine, helping you look taller and less hunched.
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