Swimming is an excellent form of exercise that engages almost all of the major muscle groups in your body. It also provides a workout for your heart and lungs, and helps to keep your bones strong. And for those with chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, it can be an important form of exercise. It has even been shown to reduce your risk of death compared with those who are inactive.
Whether you swim recreationally or competitively, the sport offers many benefits to people of all ages. However, there are some things that you should know before jumping in the pool for the first time.
Swimmers need to understand how to properly use and care for the equipment they’ll need to get the most out of their workouts. This includes swimming caps, goggles and fins. It’s essential to have these items in good condition in order to avoid chafing and other uncomfortable side effects of swimming.
Proper technique is also important to learn when you’re swimming. The proper position of your arms during the stroke is critical to achieving the correct amount of propulsion from them. For example, during the freestyle stroke, it’s important to have your hands enter the water in a position that allows you to extend them into the water and then bend at the elbows, accelerating them forward as they push back against the water. This will give you the most effective pull and prevent you from “fishtailing” across the bottom of the pool.
When learning how to swim, it’s also helpful to spend some time doing drills that will help you improve your form. For instance, you can practice by holding onto the edge of the pool and gradually submerging your head into the water. Once you’re comfortable in chest-deep water, you can start to splash your face and take some deep breaths. You can also try using a pull buoy to eliminate the extra resistance of kicking and focus more on your arm strokes.
In addition to improving your fitness, swimming can be a great social activity. Many swimming clubs, classes and competitions offer the chance to meet new people and develop a sense of community and belonging. This is especially important for aging adults, who can benefit from the positive effect that socialisation can have on their health and wellbeing.
While it’s true that any type of swimming is better than nothing, you can reap the most benefits by swimming regularly, especially in a group setting. In addition to the physical health benefits, group swimming can help with mental concentration and training individuals to be more disciplined in their thought processes, which is a useful skill in other areas of life as well. It can be difficult to get started, but once you find a group that’s right for you, you’ll be amazed at the difference it will make in your overall wellbeing. The key is to find a pool and group that work for you, and commit to a regular session to get the most out of your swim.