Ask just about anyone who’s got a pool and they’ll tell you that there’s nothing better than jumping into the pool at the end of a long day. It relaxes you, refreshes you and gives you a chance to make the stress of your day a thing of the past. Check out our top two reasons why swimming is a great idea.
All the benefits of cardio…and none of the strain on your knees
It’s not just retirees who need to watch out for their knees. Do a quick Google search on “knee pain” and you’ll quickly learn why you don’t want it. On the other hand, everyone knows that cardio is an important part of exercise. It helps you lose weight and keeps your cardiovascular system healthy, among a host of other benefits. Swimming offers the best of both worlds – it’s cardio that’s kind to your knees. Since the water is carrying your weight when you swim, there’s none of that jarring motion that can hurt your knees.
Water offers resistance…which combines cardio with strength training
When people go to the gym to do resistance training, it involves using things like dumbbells or resistance bands. When you get into the water, the water itself provides a moderate level of resistance. This means that swimming helps you to build and maintain muscular strength. As a form of resistance training, swimming also increases your bone density and your muscle-to-fat ratio. If you’re an insomniac, it’ll even help you get a better night’s sleep.
Watch this space for our next post on the mental and psychological benefits of swimming. If you’re having a hard time emotionally, going for a swim is definitely part of the solution.