I have tried many sports namely hiking, jogging and badminton to keep in shape but ideally my sport is still swimming. Swimming increases my stamina wherelse the other sports it just
tires me out easily. I've been a regular swimmer at least once a week, (hey, forgive my busy schedule).
An article by Cleo magazine caught my attention about swimming and I would like to share.
8 Reasons To Hit The Pool1)Power Cardio
Swimming at least three times weekly for a minimum of 30 minutes increases
endurance and strength, oxygenates blood and generally booths cardiovascular
health! As you become fitter and are able to swim for longer, your resting heart
and respiratory rate will be reduced, making blood flow to heart and lungs more
efficient.
2)Great For The Injured Or Accident Prone
If you're an accident-prone klutz or nursing an injury, swimming is a low-risk
sport ideal for you. You can rigorously work out with a reduced chance of
knocking, kicking, tripping, jumping, falling-type injuries.
3)Pressure Perfect
Studies have shown that a workout routine includes swimming can help reduce and
possibly prevent high blood pressure, which lowers your risk for her art disease
and stroke. Swimming for 30 minutes reduces adrenaline circulating in the body
and relaxes blood vessel. In turn, your pulse rate is lowered and so is your
blood pressure.
4)Tighten and Tone
Swimming tones your upper and lower body because you're making use of almost all
of your major muscle groups. Plus the resistance in the water is greater than
resistance in the air, which means that the muscles have to work harder. For
overall body conditioning and taming, employ these strokes to your swim
strategy: freestyle, breastroke and backstroke.
5)Leaner And Fitter
On a average, a swimmer can burn almost the same calories in an hour as a runner
who runs six miles. On hour of continuous swimming, burns approximately 1,000 to
1,500 kilocalories. With these values, swimming is proven to be on the best
exercises to fight obesity as it melts fats away due to the number of body parts
you have to use.
6)It's Safe Enough For Everyone!
Swimming is low in impact due to buoyancy (you weigh 1/10th less in the water),
making the sport a universal form of cardio that's kind to your joints, bones or
connective tissue. Compared to running or jogging, there's no ground impact when
you swim, and so your joints are protected from stress and strain from pounding
the pavement.
7)Less Stress
Swimming relaxes you because it allows more oxygen to flow to your muscle and
forces you to regulate your breathing. It's a great way to relieve stress. Our
bodies are made up of about 60 percent water so it;s no wonder why some feel such
a draw to the water.
8)Peak Performance
Besides a toned tush, swimmers pick up skills such as sportsmanship, time-
management, self-disciplines, goal-setting and enjoyed improved coordination, an
increased sense of self-esteem and a positive mental state. Swimmers seem to do
better at work and school compared to non-swimmers thanks to their increased
energy level.
Ps. So, what are you waiting for? Go, grab your suits and trunks and head for the
nearest pool!
