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10 Health Benefits of Swimming

Swimming is an amazing form of fitness for people of all ages. Learn how hitting the pool helps keep you physically fit and boosts your mental health.

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1. Total Body Workout

Swimming is a great total body workout! When you swim, you engage almost every major muscle group, including your arms, legs and core.

If you need a low impact form of exercise, swimming is for you! Swimming increases your heart rate without putting excess stress on your joints.

Hitting the pool regularly builds strength, tones muscle, enhances fitness, and increases your metabolism.


Related: How To Swim Perfect Freestyle

2. Cardiovascular Fitness

Swimming is the best form of low impact cardiovascular fitness!

Cardiovascular exercise involves the heart, lungs, and circulatory system. Any type of aerobic activity like swimming, biking, or running will improve your cardiovascular fitness. Keeping your cardio fitness in check can help enhance your wellbeing for a lifetime.

Related: 30 Dryland Workouts for Swimmers

3. Lifelong Fitness

Swimming is a unique sport because it truly is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Some types of exercise can be challenging or impossible to complete for people who are older or who have limited technical skill.

Swimming allows you to go at your own pace and is inviting for newcomers — the water doesn’t judge. It really is the only sport you can do from cradle to grave.

Related: Learning How To Swim At The Age of 53

4. Rehab Injuries

If you have an injury or a chronic condition like arthritis, swimming is a great way to rehabilitate your body and manage symptoms. The water gently supports your muscles, so it’s like being in zero gravity with the added benefit of the water’s resistance for fitness.

Swimming regularly will help you build muscle and improve your endurance, which will help you prevent future injuries, too!

Related: Swimming Is My Moving Medicine

5. Accessible For People With Disabilities

For people with a physical disability, the water may be a great way to exercise. There are many physically disabled athletes who love to swim, and pools around the world are making their facilities more accessible.

Swimming can also be a great exercise for those with mental disabilities, as it helps boost confidence and emphasizes focus on body positioning.

Related: Watch our Interview with Para Swimmer Jessica Long!

6. Safe During Pregnancy

While pregnant, women very often experience joint and muscle pain due to drastic body changes. Swimming is a wonderful exercise during pregnancy because it is safe, low-impact, and easy on the joints.

While pregnant you can swim pretty much right up until delivery. Always consult a doctor before starting any new fitness program.

Read: My Swimming Journey Through Pregnancy and Postpartum

7. Swimming Burns Lots of Calories

Swimming can be one of the most challenging workouts (if you want it to be) and as a result, you can burn a massive amount of calories, which is ideal if weight loss is your focus.

An elite swimmer can burn up to 1,000 calories per hour in the pool. More likely, you’ll burn anywhere from 300-500 calories per hour of swimming depending on your gender, body weight, and swimming intensity. Learn more about swimming and calorie burn >

Related: How I Lost 110lbs With MySwimPro

8. Improves Sleep

The more you swim, the better you will sleep! In trials of adults with insomnia, those who exercises regularly reported improved sleep.

Specifically, swimming is great because it engages your entire body, enouraging a good sleep pattern to recover all your muscles.

Read More: The Amazing Health Benefits of Swimming

9. Boosts Your Mood

Swimming makes you happy! It’s proven that exercise releases endorphins, which improve your overall mood and happiness. Swimming is also a great way to build a social community, focus on goal-setting, and improve your confidence.

Related: How I’m Getting Back in Shape with MySwimPro

10. Manages Stress

Having a tough day? We always recommend going for a swim!

Swimming is a great way to relieve stress and anxiety. It can also keep you distracted and help redirect troubling thoughts. You can escape from the world and be one with the water.

Related: How Often Should You Swim?

Bonus! It Makes You Happier

Lifelong swimmers will tell you they’re always happier after a swim!

Regardless of what you did before the swim, you’re going to feel better and happier after a swim. This is partly due to the release of endorphins, but also due to the feeling of accomplishment for doing something. No matter how fast you go, you’re still lapping everyone on the couch!

Related: 10 Swimmers Share Why They Love Their Sport

In summary, swimming is all around awesome! From the physical benefits to the mental improvements, swimming just a few times per week is an amazing way to enhance your life.

If you’re looking for a way to get started, download the MySwimPro app for iOS or Android and get started with a personalized Training Plan. You’ll get customized Workouts designed just for you to help you reach your fitness goals. Use code SWIM35 for $35 off your first year of MySwimPro Coach >

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