Swimming: Get in the Groove

Often touted as the best form of exercise for weight loss, swimming is also a good fitness choice for just about everyone.

Swimming is especially ideal for people with arthritis and other joint problems. Unlike many other sports, it places absolutely no stress on joints and ligaments. That’s why it’s also good for people who are overweight. Even people with asthma can swim laps comfortably. The warm, moist air around pools prevents exercise-induced asthma attacks.

In fact, almost anyone can benefit from swimming, since it forces you to utilize virtually every muscle group in your body. The water provides complete cushioning, so there is particularly no risk of injury.

Furthermore, swimming gives psychological benefits tat are similar to those provided by regular meditation. While you glide through the water, you are taking time out from the world, lost in your own thoughts.

Reasons to try swimming:

• It’s the ultimate no-impact aerobic sport:
It gets your heart pumping, increasing the circulation of blood and lymph, while leaving your joints relatively stress-free. Water exercises benefit seniors, pregnant women, arthritis sufferers, or anyone with an injury.

• It provides a full body workout:
To get more out of swimming, vary your strokes. Try one lap freestyle, one lap breaststroke, and one lap backstroke, to engage a range of muscle groups.

• It’s a great kilo joule burner:
Even a leisurely pace, a 68 kg swimmer will burn nearly 1300 kj in half an hour. You’ll be getting exercise even if you simply stay in one place: five minutes of treading water at a relaxed pace will burn 250 kj.