Why Swimming is the Best Exercise You Aren't Trying
By Stepy Kamei
How often do you go swimming? Maybe once over the summer when you travel and spend a few days at a hotel with access to a pool? It's not a very common type of activity for the average person to indulge in, which is why many people remain unaware of the vast number of benefits it can have to a person's overall health and wellness. If you're ready to try out a new form of exercise in order to give a boost to your physical and mental health, here's why you should consider putting swimming at the top of your list of physical activities to try.
The Unique Benefits Which Swimming Can Provide
Most people who exercise on a regular basis tend to rely on the classic standbys, such as jogging, using the treadmill, lifting weights, and cycling. There's nothing wrong with these forms of exercise necessarily. When it comes down to it though, these types of physical activity simply can't provide a full body workout in the same way that swimming can.
Swimming is considered a low-impact form of exercise, yet its benefits to the entire body should be considered highly impactful. Swimming can tone muscles located in the calves, thighs, arms, back, shoulders, and legs. It can also serve to tone your core abdominal muscles. The natural resistance provided by the water also adds a unique dimension to this form of activity, and can improve a person's sense of balance and buoyancy on land as well. Add to all this the fact that swimming is a relatively safe exercise -- you can set your own pace and you have a very low chance of overheating due to the fact that you're surrounded by water -- and you've got a very compelling case for making swimming a regular part of your workout routine.
Swimming Reduces Stress and Improves Mental Health As Well
Pretty much any form of physical activity can lower stress, yet swimming in particular has a great proven track record for reducing anxiety. The calming sensations of being surrounded by water, hearing the water move, and being lulled into a natural rhythm can all produce an incredibly calming effect which can last hours after you leave the pool.
If you're ready to up your physical fitness game, consider swimming more than you normally do. You'll more than likely find a wealth of benefits to be had.