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5 Health Benefits of Swimming

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Do you swim regularly? If you’re not yet swimming laps for exercise, check out these 5 healthy reasons why you should add swimming to your fitness routine.

5 Health Benefits of Swimming

I have been in love with the pool since I was a youngster splashing my friends and playing Marco Polo. Recently I’ve decided to add swimming to my workout routine, and it’s going well. I don’t have a lot of endurance yet, but I’m making progress.

Here are 5 health benefits I have found from swimming.

  1. A whole body workout.

    I had always heard that swimming helped a person tone their whole body, and then I watched the Olympics several years ago, in awe at the feats of Michael Phelps. It really brought home for me what a wonderful workout option the pool could provide, and firmed up my resolve to give it a try. As the Mom of two kids, I’ll never have the time to get in shape like Michael, but seeing him swim gave me motivation.

  2. Great for the heart.

    I’d always heard that swimming was a great workout for the heart, and then I found out why. A person’s heart rate will be significantly lower – up to 13 percent fewer heart beats per minute, just being in the water. It is thought that this is due to the lessened effect of gravity, and lower water temperature. That all makes sense, but what it meant for me was that I could have a bonus for swimming that I couldn’t get on the treadmill. I’ve never had heart trouble, but anything that keeps my heart in good shape is always a plus.

  3. Lower risk of injury.

    I started investigating the pool after I hurt my knee while running. Years of pounding the running trail had taken their toll, and I felt it was time for a change. With the buoyancy of the water, my body only has to support a fraction of its own weight. I love the feeling of lightness I get when I’m in the pool. When I swim, it’s also low impact – my feet aren’t landing on a treadmill or a trail, so it’s much easier on my knees. Instead, there’s a feeling of my joints limbering up as they glide gently through the water, and I like that.

  4. Reduction of stress.

    I have a hectic schedule each week, and sometimes need a break to unwind. When I get in the pool and glide along down a lap lane, the only sounds I hear are the gentle lapping of the water, and my breathing. It is very soothing, and I’ve come to look forward to my time in the pool as a way to refresh my soul. I’ve heard it said that our bodies are 60 percent water, and that’s why being in the water feels so natural. When I finish my workout (a lot sooner than Michael Phelps would finish his, of course) I feel a lot more relaxed, and can’t remember what was stressing me before I began the swim.

  5. Resistance builds strength.

    Water is a dense medium, which adds an extra work component when you swim. It takes extra effort to push yourself through the water, which just helps in building muscles and endurance. Moving through the water is also one of the best cardiovascular workouts you can get, which lowers blood pressure and helps your body pump blood more efficiently. All my muscle groups get a workout during a swim – believe me, after I get out of the water, I can tell that this is true.

I feel stronger with each swim, and that’s a big reason I continue heading to the gym.

Here are some great resources I found that tell more about the health benefits of swimming:

5 Health Benefits of Swimming

Kaitlin_HeadshotWritten by Kaitlin Gardner. She and her husband have just moved to rural Pennsylvania, where they enjoy exploring the countryside to discover interesting and out of the way places. She is also learning how to paint watercolors.

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43 Comments

  1. I love to work out, and swimming has always been one of my favorite exercises. Like you mentioned, swimming is a really great full body workout! I’m able to work all of the parts of my body, arms, legs, and core muscles while swimming! On top of being a fantastic workout, it also helps to keep my heart in great shape. I would definitely recommend swimming to help people lose weight and feel better about themselves. Great post!

    Reply

  3. I’ve always loved swimming but have gotten away from it lately. I need to get back in the routine again.

    Reply

  4. I love swimming, summer time brings new swimsuits out to purchase, and diving into the water is the best.

    Reply

  5. I always heard that swimming was the best overall exercise. I would swim more often if I had a pool in my backyard.

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  8. I’m convinced! I want to start a swimming routine now! I agree that a lot of exercise can be jolting to my joints. And the stress-relieving benefits sound great too.

    Reply

  10. Great article. I LOVE to swim. I always have. My mom said I always wanted to be a mermaid when I grew up. I was hurt in a bad accident and did aquatic therapy. It was amazing. So good for my soul.

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  14. I still can’t swin, but my cousin goes to the gym and take exercise classes in the pool, will see If I can join her.

    Reply

  16. I used to be afraid of swimming and drowning but learning how to swim built my confidence and taught me how to overcome my fears.

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  17. I agree with all of what you consider benefits of swimming. It is definately the best exercise that uses the entire body and is the least likely of causing an injury. I have seen seniors taking water aerobics, with weights!!!

    Reply

  18. I love the pool and wish I could get into the water more often. Though I am unable to “swim” just walking in the water with the weight off my joints feels wonderful.

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  24. My hubby and I keep talking about how we want to start swimming laps but we never do anything about it. I’ll show him this and we’ll really consider it more now!

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  27. I totally LOVE swimming. It is a great workout that I honestly believe targets EVERy muscle in your body…and best of all, you aren’t all sweaty and stinky when you finish your workout!!

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  29. I love to swim!! Cannot stand the cold water anymore as I have Fibro and so it has to be a very warm pool!
    very therapeutic!

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  33. I am a massage therapist and I recommend swimming for my clients because it takes the stress off the body when exercising.

    Reply

  39. I love swimming! It’s definitely fun and so good for you. I wish we still had our pool in the back yard. I miss it.

    Reply

  41. I love swimming! When I had a gym membership at a gym with a pool, I used to swim regularly. It was a a great help since I tend to get knee pain from walking, running, etc., but not from swimming.

    Reply