By Staff
We all know that swimming is one of the best exercises you can do. It benefits the body in a number of different ways and it can be continued for a lifetime. You are never too young or old to hit the water and enjoy a relaxing or playful exercise.
If you want to find an activity that keeps your heart rate up, but takes some of the impact stress off of your body, then swimming is your answer. Perhaps you have been doing some other form of land exercise, and now an injury prevents you from putting weight on a knee or ankle. Swimming can help you. Kicking workouts, water aerobics, pool running, or a regular swimming workout can all give you a great exercise session without the weight of your body pounding you with each move.
Regular swimming builds endurance, muscle strength and cardio-vascular fitness. It can serve as a cross-training element to your regular workouts. Before a land workout, you can use the pool for a warm-up session. Swimming with increasing effort to gradually raise your heart rate and stimulate your muscle activity is easily accomplished in the water. After a land workout, swimming a few laps can help you cool-down and move blood through your muscles.
Spending time in a group workout, whether water aerobics or a master's swim practice, is a great social outlet. Exchanging stories, challenging each other and sharing in the hard work make swimming with others a rewarding experience.
There are other psychological benefits to swimming, if you allow it to occur. Relax and swim with a very low effort. Let your mind wander, focusing on nothing but the rhythm of your stroke. This form of meditation can help you gain a feeling of well-being, leaving your water session refreshed and ready to go on with the rest of your day. Many swimmers find an indirect benefit form swimming. They develop life skills such as sportsmanship, time-management, self-discipline, goal-setting and an increased sense of self-worth through their participation in the sport. Swimmers seem to do better in school, in general terms, than non-swimmers as a group.
If you've considered a swimming class for yourself or your family members, don't hesitate. The Niles-Buchanan YMCA offers a number of different swimming programs for all levels of swimmers. Whether you're a beginner looking to learn the basics or your very advanced and just want to swim at your own convience, the YMCA can help you. Call them today to find out more!