While it is a fun recreational choice for people young and old, swimming is also an amazing exercise that has numerous health benefits throughout the body. For many, it is an excellent exercise choice because it is low impact and does not hurt already aching knee, hip or shoulder joints. It can also improve stress levels by helping people get rid of anxiety as they propel themselves through the water. Here is a closer look at four physical health benefits that may make one want to take up this fun and easy sport.
Increased Muscle Strength
As many whole body exercises do, swimming can improve muscle tone and strength throughout the body. When swimming, one must use the arms for strokes, the legs for propelling and the core for complete control. However, swimming combines the cardio aspects of aerobic exercise with the strength aspects of numerous anaerobic exercises, which makes it truly one-of-a-kind. Besides this, the muscles get an increased workout in the water because of the extra strength needed to propel oneself through water versus air. The added resistance can create beautifully shaped and toned muscles. Additionally, a water workout can improve bone strength and decrease the chance of osteoporosis-related issues.
Cardiovascular Health
The heart is also a muscle, and it can be toned and strengthened through swimming. When a person takes up swimming, the heart will actually become larger and will be able to pump blood through the body with more strength yet while expending less energy than it once needed. This efficiency can lead to decreased blood pressure and heart rate. In fact, swimming is such a powerful form of exercise that the American Heart Association says that 30 minutes of this type of exercise each day can decrease the chance of coronary artery disease by up to 40%. Additionally, swimming can lower bad cholesterol levels.
Asthma Reduction from Swimming Lessons
One of the more surprising health benefits of swimming is its ability to decrease asthma symptoms, particularly exercise-induced asthma. According to a 2009 study that looked at children who took six weeks of swimming, swimming can improve symptoms of snoring and mouth breathing for at least a year after the swimming program is completed. However, even those who have never been diagnosed with asthma can experience improved lung function from taking swimming lessons in NYC that can translate into improved lung function throughout the day. Improving lung function while working out is most beneficial.
Calorie Burning
Calorie burning equals fat reduction, which can lead to many other health benefits. Fat reduction is particularly good for the joints, heart, lungs and insulin control. In fact, depending on the way that one swims, a person can burn just as many calories in the pool as one could in the same time jogging. While exact calorie burn estimates depend on a person’s weight, the intensity of the stroke and other factors, a breast stroke can burn 60 calories in 10 minutes, and a butterfly stroke can burn 150 calories in 10 minutes. Swimmers can increase calorie burn by using intervals, a newer fad in exercise that is catching on due to its health benefits. For interval training in the pool, swimmers should swim at their highest capacity for approximately 20 seconds, rest for 10 seconds and repeat.
With so many health benefits, it is truly a wonder that swimming pools across the country are not packed with people. However, not many know how good swimming is for the entire body. Besides these four major benefits, studies have also shown that swimming can improve symptoms of depression, arthritis and diabetes. Thus, it is truly a whole-body exercise that could very well help one live a long and healthy life.
