5 reasons why swimming is one of the best exercises

Exercising regularly is extremely important as it benefits your health in several ways. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), adults should perform at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week, or a combination of both. There are different types of exercise that one can do, however, if you are looking for something that benefits your overall health and well-being, it is swimming. 

Full-Body Workout

Swimming engages almost every major muscle group in the body, including the arms, legs, back, and core. The strokes help to tone the muscles and improve endurance. Unlike other exercises which only focus on one area, swimming helps to build overall strength and balance. 

Heart Health

Swimming is a great cardiovascular exercise. It helps to increase your heart rate while also improving circulation and oxygen flow throughout the body. When you swim regularly, it helps to strengthen the heart muscles, lower blood pressure levels and also, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. 

Impact on Joints

When you swim, the body is buoyant in water, which helps to reduce strain on the joints and bones. This makes it a good workout for people with arthritis, injuries, or joint pain. This gives them the chance to exercise longer and more comfortably.

Muscle Strength and Tone

Water resistance is higher than air resistance. This means that your muscles have to work harder, which helps to build lean muscle mass and improves muscle tone. There are different types of strokes which work on different muscle groups. 

Calorie Burning

Swimming is an exercise which helps to burn calories effectively. A moderate swim can burn 400–500 calories per hour, depending on intensity and body weight. Since, swimming works the entire body and combines both strength and cardio, it is a great exercise for weight management.