Swimming is considered by some to be the perfect exercise. There are good things about every form of exercise, but swimming’s list of benefits is most impressive.
The Benefits of Aerobic Exercise
Aerobic exercise, of which swimming is one form, is amazing for the human body. “Aerobic exercise is considered by most experts to be the single most important component of fitness,” stated Providence Health and Services. This source mentioned that aerobic exercise…
- Extends one’s lifespan
- Decreases the risk of coronary artery disease
- Lowers the incidence of cancer and diabetes
Also, aerobic exercise:
- Promotes a healthy weight
- Increases energy
- Boosts the immune system
- Lowers blood pressure
- Helps control blood sugar
- Increases mood
To get a good aerobic workout, you should engage in some type of exercise that gets and keeps your heart rate up for at least 30 minutes. Biking, walking, jogging and, last but not least, swimming are all good examples of aerobic activity.
2 Reasons Why Swimming is the Ideal Exercise
Swimming may be the best form of aerobic activity for you. Here are two reasons why it is the ideal exercise:
1. It is easy on the joints — One of the primary reasons individuals do not regularly exercise is because their joints suffer when they do. This is a sign that the exercises they are performing are not right for them. Those with joint issues, or those who are seriously overweight, should consider swimming.
Even though swimming takes pressure off of the joints, it still makes the body work hard. “Water is denser than air, so moving through H2O puts more external pressure on your limbs than out-of-water training, studies have shown. Even better, that pressure is uniformly distributed. It doesn’t collect in your knees, hips or the other places that bear most of the burden when you exercise with gravity sitting on your shoulders,” stated a contributor to Time.
2. It strengthens respiratory muscles — All aerobic exercise is good for your respiratory system, but none more so than swimming. Swimming forces you to coordinate your breathing since you are under water periodically. Also, holding your breath while under water can increase lung capacity, and it has been shown to help people with COPD and asthma.
Additionally, swimming, even if it is low-intensity, increases your stamina. “Just 30 minutes of cardio such as swimming, five days a week, will benefit your lungs, making them stronger and more efficient at pumping oxygen to your body,” stated Advantages of Swimming for the Lungs.
Do you have COPD, asthma, weight problems or joint or mobility issues? If so, swimming may be the perfect exercise for you.
What is Your Perfect Exercise?
No two bodies are exactly the same, which is why different people prefer different forms of exercise. As good as swimming is for the body, the best exercise for you is one that you’ll engage in regularly and won’t wear and tear on you. If that’s swimming, great. If it’s another form of exercise, that’s fine too. The important thing is that you get and stay active.