Starting a workout routine is one thing. Sticking with it can be challenging, especially if the routine you’ve chosen is made up of limited workouts and only a handful of variety.
One of the best ways to overcome getting bored with your routine is to invest in the personal training Frankston gyms has on offer. Another way to keep your workout relevant to your fitness goals is to incorporate another activity. A common choice among beach-loving Australians is swimming.
Reap the Benefits of Regular Swimming
No matter what your fitness level is, your whole body will benefit from adding swimming to your routine. If you’re not sure if swimming is right for you, then we urge you to keep reading. Our experts have compiled the top benefits of swimming.
1. Serves As a Full-Body Workout
It’s not uncommon for many people to opt for swimming as a solitary workout. This is because it’s a full-body workout and a single swimming session can help you achieve the equivalent of several other workout routines.
Swimming engages your whole body and is an excellent way to exercise your arms, legs, back, and even your core. Typically this makes swimming a well-rounded metabolic workout. The average person can easily burn over 432 calories when swimming, as opposed to the 266 that they would burn walking at a moderate pace. Experts also emphasise that a minimum of 16 weeks of regular swimming is an excellent way to reduce your body fat and BMI.
2. Excellent for Strengthening Your Lungs
Another top reason to start swimming is the way it benefits your lung health. This happens because swimming trains the lung muscles used for breathing. Focusing on more accurate breathing techniques can teach you positive breathing habits to adopt even outside the pool.
In addition to this, the pool can also provide the ideal setting for you to exercise if you suffer from asthma. Pools don’t have the pollen that you’ll encounter when jogging. The environment is also humid, making it easier for you to breathe. Swimming in a warm water pool enhances the benefits for your asthma.
3. Swimming Boosts Brain Power
One of the top reasons to exercise, no matter what your weight, is that it improves your overall cognition. It’s worth pointing out that a 20-minute, moderately intensive swim will have a positive effect on your short and long-term memory.
4. Can Improve Sleeping Patterns
Just about everyone can benefit from improved sleeping patterns. One of the key ways to improve your sleeping patterns is by adding swimming to your exercise routine. This is because swimming helps to reset your body’s internal clock which also restores your natural circadian rhythms.
Swimming is regarded as a vigorous aerobic activity, making it easy to see why people who routinely swim not only sleep better but also longer. That means, swimming for about 30-minute sessions a few times a week will see you developing healthier sleeping habits.
5. Assists With Chronic Pain Management
Chronic pain can often hamper any attempts at a serious workout. Some types of chronic ailments such as fibromyalgia and arthritis also come with mobility issues, making exercise more difficult. It’s not uncommon for patients suffering from these types of conditions to only perform swimming or aquatic activities.
On average, a regular three-month swimming routine that involves about 45 minutes of swimming or aquatic exercises at least three times per week, will lead to less joint stiffness and overall pain. Many people with these conditions also develop improved muscle strength.
6. Instant Way to Boost Heart Health
Every workout should include a significant amount of cardio. This is necessary to improve your overall cardiovascular fitness and maintain heart health. In addition to running, swimming is an effective way to strengthen your heart and become more effective at pumping blood and oxygen to the rest of the body.
It’s not uncommon for physicians to recommend swimming as an activity to manage blood pressure and hypertension. Many people suffering from these issues often find it easier to swim or do aquatic exercise than indoor gym workouts.
7. Improves Overall Mood
Exercise is supposed to make you feel better. However, a strenuous workout can often leave you exhausted, and you may even struggle to see the positivity in all of it. This is especially true if you have been exercising for a considerable amount of time without seeing any positive results.
A single session of swimming can leave you in a considerably better mood than before you jumped in the pool. For the most part, this has to do with the release of a series of happiness chemicals in your brain. The most significant of these are serotonin, endorphins, and dopamine. Regular swimming also lowers anxiety, reduces stress, and even combats feelings of depression.
Final Thoughts
Swimming is an excellent way to increase your physical activity. Not only will you get a full body workout, but you will also experience other positive health benefits. Most gyms and training centers have pools, making it easy to include this wonderful activity in your current exercise routine.
