The benefits of swimming are vast, but chances are it's probably not as regular a part of your workout routine as, say, strength training , reformer Pilates , or weightlifting. If these are the forms of exercise that make you feel your best, then we're certainly not saying you should give them up, but if swimming is something you like but often put off no swimsuit, CBB to shave - you know the drill , then you should probably read this.
Keep scrolling for 12 benefits of swimming. Regular pool attendance could make you smarter, improve your mental health and enhance your lung capacity, and that's not all. According to the NHS , adding a weekly swim workout to your training plan can reduce the risk of chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and strokes. You can also expect full-body toning and improved stamina, which translates nicely into improved overall fitness levels and capabilities.
Cross-training exercising in different ways is a fantastic way to improve your overall fitness. We spoke to Emily Morrissey, a Swimming Instructor for Swimming Nature , for her expert know-how on the benefits of swimming. Swimming is one of the few sports that demand you leave the outside world, outside.
Morrissey says, 'many people say that by simply being in the water they feel more relaxed and less stressed. Regular exercise helps reduce anxiety and depression, as it releases "feel good" hormones and keeps our brains working in a healthy way. Plus, she suggests if you embrace open water swimming and not just in your local pool you can reap more rewards: 'Learning to swim can allow you the opportunity to swim in beautiful places outdoors which many people find to be memories they cherish.
Research has found that hitting the pool was comparable to Yoga in terms of reducing anxiety and stress over a week period. NHS guidelines suggest that in order to stay healthy anyone aged 19 to 64 should be doing at least minutes of moderate aerobic activity a week. This can include anything from running and walking to circuit training or HIIT workouts at home. If you choose to do particularly vigorous activity, such as fast swimming, you can slash this to 75 minutes — which is only just over an hour each week.
