06 Nov Swimming: 8 Must-Know Benefits

Want to keep fit but don’t want to visit the gym? Thankfully, there are many ways for you to stay active, and swimming is on the top of our list! 

Swimming has always been the perfect exercise for the young and the old. Many athletes use swimming as a low-impact aerobic workout on a regular basis as well. Furthermore, minimal gear is required, apart from your swimsuit and goggles.

Now, let us dive deeper into the health benefits of swimming that most people never knew!

#1: Swimming is a Great Full-Body Workout

Ever felt tired and drained after a swim session? This is because most of your muscles are engaged, and your body is put through an entire fat-burning workout when you swim!

Most people do not realise that they are engaging every part of their body when in the water. While it may seem like your four limbs are responsible for most of the work, that is not the case. While swimming, you strengthen both your core and engage your back muscles constantly.

Different swimming strokes target different parts of the body, so remember to combine them all to get a full-body workout!

#2: Swimming Burns Many Calories

As mentioned above, swimming is a total fat-burning workout. This also means that your body burns a lot more calories than it would at the gym. The number of calories burned depends on your swim skills and your weight class. The better your skills, the less effort it will take for you to wade through the water. Similarly, the heavier you are, the more energy will be required, so the more calories you will burn.

Fun fact! Did you know that swimming burns the same amount of calories as jogging does? This can be achieved even if you are swimming at low intensity. The best part is, it does not come with the joint stress that you might encounter while jogging. Because swimming is a gentle workout, you can also swim on a daily basis, though rest days are always encouraged. 

#3: The Perfect Stress-Relieving Exercise

We have all heard of runner’s high, but did you know that the same feeling can be experienced by swimmers too? The activity releases natural endorphins, and utilises plenty of breathing techniques that relieve stress. 

We have been taught to breathe whenever we deal with stressful situations, and swimming touches on those techniques! Albeit done subconsciously, swim strokes involve rhythmic breathing that stimulate our parasympathetic nervous system. Combine this with the amount of stretching your body goes through when you swim, and you get a lot of relaxation! 

Lastly, the sound of your own breathing and water rushing in drowns out any distractions. This calms and meditates the human mind, allowing us to focus in the moment and relax. 

#4: Reduces Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Apart from being a good physical exercise to engage in regularly, swimming also improves your cardiovascular health. 

Firstly, hydrostatic pressure pushes blood to our hearts and improves overall circulation. It reduces carotid arterial stiffness as well, increasing flexibility of your heart’s walls and reducing the risk of heart disease.

#5: Suitable for People with Asthma

Unless you are in a swim competition, you will probably practice steady, repetitive and consistent breathing. These techniques are essential and utilised when you swim. Hence, swimming helps to build your lung capacity and improve breath control, making it a safer option for people with asthma. 

#6: Suitable for Pregnant Ladies 

Not all of us have experienced pregnancy before, but we all know and heard about the physical and mental tolls it can take on women’s bodies. Swimming has multiple benefits for pregnant women as a low-impact activity. 

It promotes healthy lungs and heart that can aid the overall labour process during pregnancy. The exercise keeps pregnant women physically active, thus preventing unnecessary weight gain. Submerging the body in the water can improve blood circulation too, which reduces body swelling and muscle aches. Lastly, being in the water cools you down, consequently reducing nausea.

Keen to learn more about how to swim safely during your pregnancy term? Read this article for more tips!

#7: Helps to Improve Sleep Cycle 

We all know how integral exercise is in keeping our lifestyles healthy. Swimming as a sport and recreational activity loosens the muscles, relieves us of stress and helps us to achieve REM sleep. Don’t forget to practice good sleeping habits (e.g. sleeping early, turning the lights off) too!

#8: Boosts Your Mood  

Because of the factors above, swimming is a good pick-me-up activity to engage in whether you are feeling down or not. Like all other physical exercises, swimming releases natural endorphins in our brains. These hormones make us feel good and boosts our mood, thus increasing the overall wellbeing!

Enough reasons to get you back in the water, right? Whether you are swimming laps, doing aqua aerobics or HIIT, swimming has an endless list of benefits for the human body and mind. 

But before you step into the water, don’t forget to swim well and swim safe! Take note of your attire, surroundings, and of course, the pool that you will swim in. Ensure that the pool is safe and clean before you dive straight in! 

Thinking of getting started? Swimming in a clean and clear pool is definitely rewarding and worth the maintenance efforts behind it! Hand the work over to FPNP Team, and we will guarantee a good job at keeping your pool healthy!