Swimming is a great sport. It is an all-rounder because it is low impact, keeps your heart rate up and uses your whole body. Here are some of the reasons to get swimming and how to get swimming in your area:
How can swimming benefit your health
Swimming works the whole body whilst also taking some of the impact stress off your body. This means you can tone muscles, build strength and build endurance all at once with minimal impact on your body.
Swimming can help you maintain a healthy weight. It is one of the most effective ways to burn calories with a gentle half an hour swim burning over 200 calories.
While your muscles are working, your cardiovascular is too, making your heart and lungs strong. Research* shows that it may reduce your risk of death; compared with inactive people, swimmers have about half the risk of death. Other studies have shown that swimming may help lower blood pressure* and control blood sugar*.
Exercise can help with cravings. The NHS website states that physical activity may help reduce your nicotine cravings and relieve some withdrawal symptoms and suggests swimming as a good, gentle exercise.
What you need to swim
- A water bottle – it is important to stay hydrated during any exercise so your body can work to its best and to transport nutrients to give you energy. Most leisure centres and pools will have ways to fill up your water bottle.
- Appropriate swimwear – swimsuits, bikinis, swimming trunks. Check out the website for the centre or pool you are visiting if you are unsure if you are wearing the correct thing. Some pools will allow additional items of clothing, so it is worth checking it out.
- Towel – to dry off.
- Swim hats – in some pools swim hats are mandatory, in others they are not required.
- Goggles are optional – to help you see underwater and to avoid getting chlorine in your eyes.
Everyone Health can help you get active, visit the website or call: 0333 005 0095 to find out more.
