How Swimming Gets You in Your Best Ever Summer Shape
Do you look at swimming as a fun way to cool down and keep your kids busy in the summer? Maybe it’s time to change your perspective when it comes to this form of exercise. That’s right…swimming is one of the best all-over exercises you can do. Everyone seems to forget that though since it’s so much fun.
Here’s what you should know about the summer’s coolest sport!
– It minimizes impact
Whether you have an injury that makes your joints ache or you’re feeling the effects of time marching on, swimming can help you have an amazing workout. All without the major impact to those joints.
– Build up endurance
Feel like you just can’t handle things in your land workouts? Switch to the swim. You build more muscular endurance in the water while also getting a cardio workout. Running isn’t for everyone and can leave you with injuries because of its high-impact nature, making swimming an ideal option.
– It burns LOTS of calories
Hey, Moms! When you have those kids in the pool, get your workout done at the same time. A half hour of swimming with freestyle laps in a moderate pace will burn 300 calories. If you take your kids to the pool for even just an hour, all you have to do is swim hard for 30 minutes. Then you can luxuriate on your raft while they splash and play!
– Swimming sculpts muscles
Because you’re moving all your muscles to propel yourself through the water, you’re sculpting them in a variety of ways. Doing different strokes engages different sets, making for the best full-body workout you can ever find. No matter what though, they all focus on a strong core. If you want to improve your swim-game, focus on your core strength outside of the water to make waves while you’re in it.
– Some strokes give you more muscle power
Each of the strokes have benefits for your muscles. All of them, with the exception of backstroke, engage the chest. The rest give a fair mix to triceps, quads, back, shoulders, and hamstrings, depending on the stroke. And that’s just a few of the muscle groups you’ll use. Imagine if you try different strokes with each lap!
– You don’t have to be a pro
Perfecting your strokes will look nice, but in the name of exercise and getting fit, it won’t matter as much. Beginners to the swim usually burn more calories because they haven’t perfected minimizing resistance in the water for a faster lap time. That said, just get in the water and start moving. Aim for 30 minutes of swimming and keep focused on having your heart rate up rather than being graceful in the water.
Whether you want to perfect your strokes or build the core strength you need on land, a personal trainer can help you get there. In Your Home Therapy offers professional trainers that come to your home whenever you’re ready to workout. On land or in the water, get the best workouts that challenge you to excel at your goals for health!
