Planning on getting fit? Our Swim Clinic instructor, Salim, tells us how swimming can improve your fitness without impacting your joints.
‘Get fit’ will no doubt be a priority for many of us, especially as a long winter stretches ahead. But what sport do you prefer? If you haven’t been in the pool since primary school, then a lot has changed.
We caught up with our Swim Clinic instructor Salim to find out why swimming could be your ticket to fitness and health.
Top 10 reasons to start swimming
- It exercises all the main muscle groups.
- Swimming has virtually zero impact on the joints – the closest thing you’ll get to training in zero gravity.
- The water creates natural resistance – so no need for weight-lifting.
- You can swim outside – in the sea, lakes, rivers or lidos – or indoors in heated pools.
- Swimming is proven to release more endorphins than almost any other form of moderate continuous exercise.
- It also reduces anxiety and heart rate.
- Swimming is what Swim Lab likes to term a ‘Tardis Sport’ – i.e. it’s a skill that you can continue to improve with as you get older, swimming faster and further!
- Improving circulation and flexibility, and maintaining all-round mobility, swimming has a direct effect on reducing the risk of arthritis, and mobility issues with joints.
- Knowing how to swim is a skill for life.
- It’s also great for pregnant women or people with disabilities to keep fit and enjoy.
Swimming in numbers:
- Swimming for as little as 20 minutes once a week will maintain your fitness, and may produce marginal fitness gain.
- Swimming twice a week will lead to distinct improvement in speed, efficiency and overall fitness.
- Swimming three or more times a week will result in significant improvement on most fronts.
- Any time in the water, even from five to 60 minutes, will be beneficial. So jump in, even if you’re lacking energy or don’t think you have the time…
And finally
Going mad in the pool or sea should not be the preserve of children! Swimming unstructured and doing whatever you like – diving, doing handstands, seeing how long you can hold your breath, swimming underwater, or perhaps just floating on your back for a while – all helps your body and mind get comfortable with water.
Find out about our next Swim Clinic