Swimmers are in fantastic shape and those who swim regularly know that they not only look great on the outside but feel just as great on the inside. The health benefits of swimming are almost unmatched by most any other sport.

Swimming works your whole body, improving cardiovascular conditioning, muscle strength, endurance, posture, and flexibility all at the same time. Your cardiovascular system in particular benefits because swimming improves your body’s use of oxygen without overworking your heart.

As you become fitter and are able to swim longer, your resting heart rate and respiratory rate will be reduced, making blood flow to the heart and lungs more efficient. If you’re looking to lose weight, swimming is just the ticket. On average, a swimmer can burn as many calories in an hour as a runner who runs six miles in one hour.

Plus:

• Whole body conditioning
• Low risk of injury
• Low-impact exercise
• Improve blood pressure
• Stress reduction

If laps aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other good swimming exercises. Try walking or running in water, which many people find easier to do than on land. Tread water – it can be exhausting but will help tone your legs and arms. You can also try water aerobic exercises. Don’t just take advantage of only the water either – use the walls of the pool to kick without a kickboard or to do leg lifts. The water is an ideal playground for all forms of swimming as exercise – just be creative!

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