A swimming pool is not the first place many people look when they want to lose weight, but it could be. No other workout burns calories and boosts metabolism, engaging every muscle in your body (without putting stress on your joints) better than a swimming workout with lifeguard recertification near me.
Water can help build a healthier body. And no one needs to be an Olympic gold medalist to get the perfect body and health. According to research, swimmers of all ages achieved more levels of lean muscle mass and slimmer waists and hips than other exercises.
You don’t need anything complicated to practice swimming: swimwear (swimsuit, swimming trunks, bikini), swimming cap and goggles. Ready! You can now fall into the water.
The benefits of swimming are many. Body shaping, calorie burning and muscle recruitment are cited as the most significant. An easy session burns about 500 calories an hour, while a vigorous effort can burn nearly 700 calories. Of course, each body is unique and, therefore, these values may vary.
Water is about 800 times denser than air and every kick, push and pull is like resistance training for the whole body, especially for the hips, arms, shoulders and glutes. So, in addition to burning calories, you build lean muscle mass, which influences metabolism and you can burn calories even after swimming, while you shower and dry off.
The irony is that swimming makes you slim and toned, while also being kind to your body. Water counteracts gravity, so you become virtually weightless when immersed, giving your joints a break. You can swim almost every day without the risk of accidents. the same cannot be said for running or strength training .
And all of that makes swimming something you can do for a lifetime because it can literally help you look and feel younger. Some say regular swimmers are biologically younger than their actual age. The data reveals that a swimmer’s blood pressure, cholesterol levels, cardiovascular performance, central nervous system and cognitive functioning are comparable to someone much younger.
How to begin?
Most newbies enter the pool with high expectations. They jump into the water with the plan to swim for an hour. Four minutes later, they’re hanging over the edge, feeling utterly defeated.
That’s because training in water requires the cardiovascular system and muscles to work differently than on land. Your lungs need to adjust to a new way of breathing (you can’t suck in air whenever you want). And unlike any other form of exercise, swimming requires every muscle in your body working together to keep you moving, afloat.
The key to an effective swim routine is breaking it down into shorter segments, mixing it in with a variety of work and rest intervals, utilizing different types of strokes, training and intensities. Don’t worry that you’re wasting time by taking rest breaks. Swimming is not like walking, in that the heart rate drops rapidly. It remains high for at least 30 seconds after a few turns.
Try this starter exercise: Swim four times in the pool in one easy effort (catch your breath by stopping if you need to). Rest for 30 seconds. Repeat 5 to 10 times. Try this three times a week for the first two weeks. If you haven’t been swimming for a while, use a “board” for the first few workouts. It will help you get used to swimming without having to coordinate arms and legs. Once you’ve mastered this workout, try getting another swim plan from a fitness professional.
Who has never swam and doesn’t know how to swim, don’t be afraid to start! Swimming schools are full of schedules for those who want to start this activity. All you have to do is drop into the pool!
