Swimming is a great form of all-round exercise. You work your core and legs as well as your upper body. People of all ages and with various levels of experience can benefit from swimming.
Health benefits include:
- No age limit Swimming is one of the few sports you can do at any age.
- Reduces risk of chronic illnesses Regular swimming can reduce the risk of illnesses, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, depression and stroke.
- Can be social or solitary Swimmers can take classes alone or train together. Exercising and socialising together leads to improved mental health. Swimming alone can help you process or switch off.
- Improves memory function and thinking skills Regular exercise reduces inflammation and insulin resistance in the brain, which fosters new brain cell growth.
- Improves mood, anxiety, and stress, Swimming increases the brain’s ability to think more efficiently. The pool is the perfect place to cut yourself off from the rest of the world and relax.
- No stress on joints With the water supporting your bodyweight, swimming is a great way for anyone to work out without putting stress on their joints. Due to the nature of the movement when swimming, it can aid in improving the flexibility of the muscles and joints. As a low-impact sport it is easier on the body.
- Delays effects of ageing Regular swimming can delay the effects of ageing by reducing blood pressure, increasing muscle mass, improving oxygen and blood flow to the brain, and increasing cardiovascular health.
- Good exercise for overweight Due to the weight-bearing properties of the water, swimming serves as an excellent way for overweight people to work out without straining their body.
- Save a life Swimming is a lifelong skill that could save a life. If you can't swim, it's never too late to learn.
"We swim because we are too sexy for a sport that requires clothes."