Swimming is an activity in which a person propels themselves through the water using combined arm and leg actions, while also utilizing the natural flotation of the body. It is commonly used for recreation, exercise, therapy, and as a competitive sport. There are various forms of swimming, including freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. Swimming is also a popular form of aquatic exercise for children and people with disabilities. It is one of the top audience draws at the Olympics, and it is also a common component of physical education in schools.
While it may seem daunting at first, swimming is a simple and effective workout that can yield great results when done consistently. Frequent and long swim sessions can build up your strength, endurance, and overall health. However, it is important to break up your swims into smaller segments so that you can rest mid-workout and reset your technique. Taking a structured approach to your training is an effective way to get the most out of your swimming and avoid injury and burnout.
If you’re new to swimming, start with 20-30 minute sessions a few times per week and build up to longer workouts over time. This will allow you to maintain proper technique and avoid overworking your body.
It is important to set reasonable goals and keep track of your progress. You can do this by keeping a log book or a digital app. Getting a membership to a local pool and signing up for a swim team are other great ways to stay motivated and improve your skills. These programs will help you to meet other swimmers and establish a supportive community.
You should also pay attention to lane etiquette. These rules vary from program to program and facility to facility. Some of them are common sense and others are based on respect for the others in the pool. If you notice a swimmer making a mistake, it’s best to privately pass along your feedback.
When you are swimming in a public pool, there are likely to be other swimmers in the same lane as you. In order to prevent collisions, you should pay attention to the people behind you and try not to push off of them when they are finishing their strokes. When passing, gently tap the feet of the person in front of you and only do so if there is room to pass. If you are unsure if there is room to pass, check with the person at the wall before tapping them.
In addition to following proper etiquette, it is also important to practice good hygiene when you are swimming. This includes washing your hands after every use, showering before and after you swim, and reapplying sunscreen regularly. A good quality sunscreen should protect you from both UVA and UVB rays. Generally, you should apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before you swim and reapply it after every two hours of exposure.