To swim, or not to swim?

Swimming is good for just about everyone. It accommodates all ages, stages, abilities and disabilities.

Here are some other known benefits to swimming:

1. It’s kind to your joints and improves flexibility: The water supports the body so only a fraction of your weight has to be supported by your limbs. It also favours smooth circular movements rather than quick jerky movements that can strain joints.

2. Helps you lose weight: Swimming for half an hour can burn as much as 250 calories. Also, gliding through the water can be a glorious feeling.

3. Improves mental health: Exercise therapy in warm water can decrease depression and improve mood.

4. It’s a great aerobic exercise: Swimming increases your lung capacity and gives them a solid work-out.

5. Choose where you want to tone up: Since swimming involves a variety of strokes that use different muscles, you can target the areas you most want to tone – be it legs, upper arms, or stomach muscles.

6. It’s cheap: Unlike some sports which require a lot of equipment, swimming just requires a swim suit, bathing cap and a pair of decent goggles and of course a pool!

7. Suitable for all ages: That’s why they say swimming is ‘cradle to grave.’

8. It’s social:  If you swim regularly you’ll most likely make new friends of every age.

 If you aren’t already a swimmer, but think you might like to start, first check with your doctor to make sure there aren’t any health issues to take into account. 

 You might even want to enroll in swim lessons. An instructor can not only help build swimming skills, but alleviate any fears you might have about the water.

Take it slow in the beginning and progress at your own pace. See you at the pool!