Why Swimming is Such a Healthy Form of Cardio
Swimming is so good for your body. It’s actually one of the healthiest workouts. From the cardio benefits to the fact that swimming is low impact, there are so many reasons you should jump in the pool this summer.
Where to Swim
If you don’t currently have a pool, it may seem like regularly going for a swim is not within your reach. Many gyms have pools and some community pools have hours specifically for swimming laps. Nothing beats having a pool in your own backyard though. Swimming pool financing can be very cost effective, especially considering the convenience of having a pool at home.
Swimming Can Lower Feelings of Depression and Anxiety
No matter where you get your swim on, the health benefits alone mean you should regularly do so. Swimming for only a half an hour a day can help lower depression and anxiety. It’s also possible that swimming will help you sleep better. Good, quality sleep is another way to reduce feelings of depression and anxiety.
Swimming is Heart-Healthy
Cardio activities like swimming are important because they are good for your heart. When you get your blood pumping faster, like you do with cardio, it strengthens your heart. Cardio can also help prevent diseases, like heart attack and stroke. This is because cardio helps treat the underlying causes of these diseases, like high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
The risk of diseases like diabetes and cancer are also reduced with regular cardio. This is partially because regularly doing cardio exercise like swimming helps strengthen muscle and bones while it’s reducing cholesterol and blood pressure. It also lowers glucose levels and makes your body more sensitive to insulin. Exercise also makes it so your body can better regulate hormones, which is what can help fight some cancers.
It Can Help You Lose Weight
Of course, cardio helps reduce your risk for disease in part because it helps you lose weight. Swimming burns calories. In fact, swimming at a vigorous pace can burn calories at nearly the same rate as running. Swimming burns many more calories than lower impact activities, like yoga and elliptical training.
Swimming is Low Impact
Though cardio is good for you, high impact cardio activities, like running, can be tough on your joints. This is why swimming is such a great form of exercise. The buoyancy of the water helps support your body as you’re moving through it, making it much easier on your joints and muscles. This is also why you’re much less likely to get injured while swimming than with running.
Swimming is one of the best forms of cardio you can do. Where some forms of cardio increase inflammation because they’re high impact, swimming lowers reactive protein levels that are linked to inflammation. This is why swimming is so commonly used to rehab muscles for injured athletes.
Swimming Can Be Beneficial, Even if You’re Injured
If you’re injured or recovering, it’s even more important to give swimming a try. It’s a safe and beneficial option for those with arthritis as well. Swimming can even help reduce pain and stiffness, as well as help you recover from injury
This is also often why swimming is a part of physical therapy. Swim strokes, while getting your heart rate up and increasing your endurance, are actually an active form of stretching. Various strokes work arm muscles, quads, calves and engage all your core muscles. Swimming is definitely a full body workout!
It Can Be Beneficial to Those With Underlying Conditions
In addition, there have been studies that have shown that swimming is good for those with underlying conditions like asthma or MS as well. The humid environment created by pools makes it easier for those with asthma to breathe. It’s a beneficial activity for those with MS because water makes the limbs buoyant and helps support them during exercise. This, along with the gentle resistance the water creates, could help reduce pain for those with MS.
Swimming really is one of the most beneficial exercises for your body. It provides so many health benefits, so dive into swimming today!
