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We have hot and humid summers here in Australia and there’s nothing more refreshing than diving in the pool to cool off. The great thing about swimming is, it’s not only fun but offers a number of health benefits too. In this article, we will highlight the top health benefits that come with spending time in the water to get you excited about jumping in the pool.
Swimming can be done for a lifetime
Swimming doesn’t discriminate and can be done by people of all ages and of all fitness levels. The weightlessness of water provides support to people with mobility issues or painful conditions and enables them to move their bodies without the pain typically associated with land exercises. Swimming is a safe form of exercise for people who are:
- Disabled
- Not able to bear weight
- Living with arthritis or osteoarthritis
- Pregnant
- Recovering from an injury
- Elderly
- Limited in their movements
- Dealing with chronic pain
Burns calories
Swimming burns far more energy than other types of exercise such as running or walking. As a matter of fact, doing a fast-paced swim can burn double the number of calories that riding a bike or running does for the same duration. An added bonus is working out in water prevents getting covered in sweat as the water cools your body as you swim.
Improve overall mental wellbeing and alleviate stress
Taking some out to exercise in the pool is an excellent way to cope and manage everyday stress. Swimming forces the heart rate up and increases the blood flow throughout the body, as a result, endorphins are produced. They provide a feeling of euphoria which can reduce pain and boost mood. Jumping in the pool for a swim on a regular basis is an effective solution to alleviating stress and built-up tension.
Quality time with family and friends
Whilst swimming laps are normally done individually, for many of us, the time we spend swimming is done in the pool or at a beach with the people we care about most. Having a pool in the backyard is the perfect excuse to invite friends and family over to catch up whilst exercising at the same time. Socializing with others is undeniably beneficial for our emotional and mental wellbeing.
Tone muscles and increases strength
When gliding through the water, every muscle in the body is used to maintain momentum. This means that all of the muscles are gaining mass rather than isolating certain areas. This doesn’t just apply for vigorous workouts either, steady laps in the pool is still giving us the benefits of a whole-body workout. When done on a regular basis swimming can significantly increase endurance, strengthen the bones, and increase lung capacity. It’s a great way to lose weight and maintain cardiovascular health.
Swimming increases flexibility
Some are not aware of the fact that swimming increases your flexibility. The motion used when swimming against the resistance of the water lengthens the muscles and makes them more flexible and can also help with muscle recovery.
Water therapy
Water therapy is physical therapy that takes place in water. It is a popular alternative to regular rehabilitation or pain management. People living with ongoing pain or those who are recovering from an injury, can greatly benefit from this form of therapy. Whilst all formal appointments will normally be supervised by a professional, having a pool in the backyard allows people to practice their exercises or relieve aches and pains at their own leisure. Water takes the load of the joints, muscles and bones and can help to alleviate pain.
Benefits of swimming for children
Studies conducted by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare claim that childhood drowning is still a prevalent issue here in Australia and one of the leading causes of accidental deaths amongst children between the ages of 0 and 14. Much of the population are surrounded by water and even for those who aren’t, swimming is a pastime that is commonly enjoyed by many. Learning to swim a necessary life-saving skill that all children should learn in this country. Much like riding a bicycle, once a child has learned how to do it, it is unlikely that they will ever forget. Learning to swim provides them with a lifetime of opportunities having fun in the sun. There are numerous benefits children can gain from swimming, here are just a couple:
1. Keeping healthy and active
Most of us are guilty of spending too much time on technology from time to time and nowadays children are no exception. Because of this, childhood obesity has become a prominent health issue in our country. Swimming not only teaches children how to be safe near water but is also an excellent form of exercise. The best part is most children don’t even realize that they are keeping healthy and active when swimming because they are having so much fun whilst doing it.
2. Helps to increase hand-eye coordination and muscle tone
When swimming is done on a regular basis it promotes muscle growth. It works the core as well as strengthens the arms and legs and can improve hand-eye coordination. Skills learned from swimming translate to coordination of the hands and body and can improve a child’s development.
3. Helps them sleep better
Swimming exerts a significant amount of energy and with the soothing effects of water, it can help children to relax, fall asleep faster and have a deeper, more restful sleep.
Swimming offers an array of health benefits regardless of whether you are a professional swimmer or just starting out. It improves cardiovascular health, tones the body, and increases energy. For some, a pool in the backyard completely overhauls their lifestyle and provides them with a healthy and active life.
We specialize in luxurious, award-winning fibreglass pools here at Swimming Pools Brisbane and we have had the privilege of transforming thousands of backyards over the years. We know first-hand how much swimming can improve one’s overall health and wellbeing. If you are interested in one of our pools for your home or if you have any questions, get in touch with our experienced team, we are more than happy to help if we can.
Reference
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/children-youth/australias-children/contents/health/injuries
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This content is brought to you by Brad Hilbert.
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