Benefits of Swimming

There are many health benefits of swimming that you can achieve other than just being a favorite pastime. People all over the world love to swim. Swimming is a good way to spend time with family and friends. It is an activity to cool off on a hot summers day or simply because you like the water.

Swimming is actually a good physical exercise for your body. There are several other reasons why swimming is healthy.

It helps with your flexibility, posture, endurance and strengthens your muscles. Another thing that this activity does for your body is it improves the condition of your cardiovascular system. This is done by an improvement in the way your body uses oxygen.

Swimming is also a good way to help in weight loss. It is possible to burn the same amount of calories by swimming for one hour as opposed to running six miles in an hour. According to a study, a 150 pound person can lose between 270 calories to 740 calories, depending on the strokes, laps and speed. The butterfly stroke burns the most calories

Swimming is also good for women who are pregnant. This is due to the fact that swimming strengthens the muscles of the shoulders and abdomen, which may become strained while carrying a baby. Other benefits of swimming while pregnant are the reduction of joint stiffness, discomfort and high blood pressure. Consult your obstetrician before you decide to take up this exercise.

For women who suffer from breast cancer swimming is a great idea. This activity avoids the often seen muscular atrophy that post surgical patients who have remained sedentary for extended periods of time.

One of the more fantastic benefits of swimming it has no medical affiliation, but one of relief. There are times when stress can get the best of all of us. This is one answer to relieve stress. Water has a way of relaxing the muscles in our bodies and allowing us to relax. When the muscles relax the tension in our bodies ease up and allow us to function with a fresh mind.

Swimming Tips

1. Like with anything else, don't plunge head first into something that is unknown. Start small. Twelve to twenty minutes of swimming a day is recommended until your strokes become stronger.
   
   
   
2. If you are interested in swimming for exercises purposes, then the freestyle strokes are the recommended strokes for you. However, as you progress and become a more efficient swimmer, combine several different types of strokes into your daily routine. Different types of strokes can work different muscles throughout your body.
   
   
   
3. Even if it's leisure swimming, breathing the right way is important. Once you master the skill of breathing, you can focus on your strokes. One of the ways to exercise breathing under water is to dip your nose and mouth in a big bowl of water and breathing in and out. Practicing deep breathing exercise is also helpful
   
   
   
4. Warm up your body by doing some arm swings and lunges before you swim. When you take a break, do some stretching.

You can learn how to swim by yourself but it will take you longer to master the skill, strokes and techniques. One of the easiest ways is to purchase a DVD and follow the instructions and guides. Or you can request a friend or an experienced swimmer to coach you. Getting a personal trainer is a good choice.

Before you start your exercise program, check your physical and health condition with your physician.

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