It’s no surprise that swimming is an effective workout and a great addition to any healthy lifestyle. But do you know the reasoning behind it? Swimming isn’t only effective because of its capacity for a cardio boost. It carries many benefits that can help you maintain overall body wellness.  

How Does Swimming Benefit Your Body?

Swimming is a full body exercise that is accessible to almost anyone. Whether you are a teen or are in your 90s, a dip in the pool can help you in a variety of ways. It can even lengthen your life! And the best part is that it is easier on the joints than other aerobic exercises such as running or jumping. 

Here are some of the benefits seen in studies of people who swim regularly: 

• Builds lean muscle and burns fat 
• Boosts heart health 
• Increases HDL cholesterol 
• Strengthens the lungs 
• Improves cognition 
• Helps you get better sleep 
• Improves mood and mental health 
• May help those who suffer from chronic pain such as fibromyalgia 
• Increases bone strength 

Just 30 minutes of daily swimming can set you up for success

Although many of us think of a good workout in terms of length, studies are finding that short bursts of activity are beneficial in maintaining a healthy weight and cardiovascular system. Not only that, but people are also more likely to work out if they can fit it into their real-life schedule. 

Studies have shown that swimming for just 30 minutes every day decreased the chance of coronary artery disease by 30-40% in women. It can also lower LDL cholesterol, one of the main risk factors for heart disease.  

Aerobic exercises, such as swimming, keep the cells in the walls of your arteries healthier and more flexible, which means only good things for those who want to maintain a healthy heart. And once your body gets moving through the water, your blood needs to pump more fresh oxygen throughout your body, boosting circulation.  

Swimming is also a resistance exercise, meaning it uses your bodyweight moving against the water to build more muscle. Lean muscle burns fat, making swimming the perfect way to maintain a healthy weight! 

Dive into Hancock Wellness Centers aquatics classes

Here at the Hancock Wellness Centers, we offer a wide variety of aquatics classes. So, if swimming laps in one of our indoor heated pools isn’t your thing, you still can gain the benefits of an aerobic water workout.  

Check out classes like Aqua Blast, Aqua Pilates, Aqua Tabata, Hydrosculpt and more. We even offer special classes for those with arthritis and other conditions. Just head over to our website and click on the location of your nearest wellness center for a complete listing of days, times, instructors and more!  

Remember to warm up and cool down

It goes without saying that before beginning any new wellness routine, you should consult your physician. Once you have the greenlight to start swimming, keep in mind the importance of warming up and cooling down. You can do this by performing stretches and warming up the body on dry land or just taking a few slower laps or stretches in the pool before beginning your aerobic workout. 

Swimming is a great, lifelong exercise that can lead to better health no matter your age. Join us in an aquatics class or take a spin around one of our pools today!