Swimming is great exercise – low impact and great cardio. We have tips for how to swim your way to good health and these tips are great whether you’re already fit or if you’re looking for a way to exercise and make the move into a more healthy lifestyle.
Swimming or simply frolicking in a pool offers many benefits and can be undertaken even by those with joint pain; when you’re swimming there’s no jarring impact like those that come with jogging or running. The health benefits of swimming are worth the time and effort that goes into owning and maintaining a swimming pool and working with the pool contractors from Imperial Pools, Inc in Decatur, IL ensures your pool is already ready for a dip.
Why should you swim? Here are a few questions to ask yourself.
- Are you going from couch potato status to starting to work out?
- Does it hurt to jog or run?
- Do you want to help your heart while doing a low-impact sport?
- Does the idea of exercising in the heat of a summer day while immersed in the cool depths of a pool appeal?
- Do the myriad benefits of swimming — health benefits and fun sound like a great way to get fit?
How to swim your way to good health
Runners who regularly train know they need an activity that takes the stress off the joints, and swimming helps keep their stamina up and provides cardio while giving their bones and joints a break.
If you’ve been injured or are recovering from surgery, a pool is a great way to ease yourself back into exercise in a non-impact way.
Regular swimming builds endurance, muscle strength and cardio. Swimming can be used as a cross-training method. Jump in the pool as a warm-up to your regular workout routine or use swimming as a way to cool your muscles down after a regular workout.
Swimming burns calories at a rate of about three calories per mile per pound of bodyweight; for example, if you weigh 150 pounds and it takes 30 minutes to swim one mile, you’ll burn about 900 calories in an hour. Keep in mind, though that not many individuals swim that quickly, or for that length of time.
Swimming is a great social outlet — take a water aerobics class and meet like-minded individuals.
Need to relax? Use swim time to reap psychological benefits. Practice relaxation techniques while you swim. Focus on your breathing and your strokes.
If you’ve always wanted a swimming pool, give us a call today and let’s talk about your pool and your fitness focus!