5 Ways Your Swimming Pool Can Keep You Fit
When you think about what you enjoy most about the swimming pool in your backyard, your first thoughts are probably to do with things like lazy summer afternoons, quality leisure time spent with friends and family, and great kids’ parties.
But if you’re taking the time to swim and make the most out of a pool’s potential health benefits – rather than just lounging around with a cold beer or glass of wine in your hand – you could get a lot more from your pool. That’s because swimming is one of the best possible exercises for getting and staying fit. And that could mean being better equipped to face the rigors of everyday life and even living a longer, happier and healthier life!
So what is it about swimming that makes it such a great way of getting fit for all ages? Here’s our quick guide to ways your swimming pool can keep you fit.
Cardiovascular
One of the best ways of increasing your general fitness levels is to do cardiovascular or aerobic exercise that increases both your heart rate and the rate at which you breathe. Swimming is widely recognised as being one of the most efficient ways of doing this, because it makes your heart and lungs work but without the impact on bones and joints that you get if you’re out running.
But why is cardiovascular exercise so beneficial? Well, among other things it can help to:
- Lower blood pressure
- Lower cholesterol
- Reduce risk of heart disease, diabetes and strokes
- Improve blood flow
- Increase energy levels
Body toning and muscle strength
For general bodily wellbeing, swimming is probably the best form of exercise you can do. That’s because as well as working your heart and lungs, you’re also toning your muscles as you go. Each time you do a stroke, you’re pushing against the resistance that the water provides, meaning that you’re using a wide range of different muscles to propel yourself forward. And the more different types of strokes you can do the better, because each type of stroke works and benefits different muscles.
General relaxation and better sleep
As with other forms of exercise, swimming releases endorphins in your brain – these are the hormones that help us to feel good about ourselves and even life in general! And even if you’re not doing high levels of exercise, just spending time immersed in water can help you to relax, reduce anxiety, fight depression, and sleep better. And having a happy and healthy mind is a huge part of having a fit and healthy body!
Bones and joints
We’ve already talked about how swimming can help to tone muscles, but for those with musculoskeletal conditions that are causing them pain, its buoyancy can also help to provide welcome relief and improved mobility. Illnesses that can be eased with some well-managed hydrotherapy include arthritis, fibromyalgia, and osteoporosis.
Burning calories
If you want to lose some weight, then swimming is a great way of burning off those calories. How many you do burn will depend on which stroke you’re doing – you can burn more than twice as many calories doing the butterfly than you can doing the breaststroke, for example – but an average of about 300 calories burned during a 30-minute swim is a reasonable estimate. Of course, to get the full benefits, any exercise program designed to lose weight should always be considered in conjunction with a healthy diet.
Here at Pulliam Pools, we’ve been helping families in and around Fort Worth, Weatherford, and Arlington to get and stay fitter and healthier for well over 100 years. We’re your local experts in everything from building award-winning pools and spas to supporting those who already have pools with a wide range of pool maintenance, renovation, and repairs services.
Want to know more? Then get in touch with our friendly team today.