The Benefits of Swimming
Swimming, one of the most popular activities in the country, is a fun, active, and healthy way to spend leisure time. Every year, millions of people visit "recreational water"
sites, such as swimming pools, water parks, hot tubs, lakes, rivers, or the ocean. Splashing in the pool on a hot, summer day is a perfect way to cool off, and an even better way to get in some aerobic
exercise. The water tends to be kinder to your joints and takes the weight off, helping you exercise with a lower chance of strain or injury. Swimming develops muscular endurance and there is some data
out there to suggest that it will reduce risk of future cardiovascular disease.
Additionally, even though swimming is kind to your joints, it doesn't place any stress on your bones.
Weight-bearing exercise is essential for maintaining bone mass and building strong bones. You should supplement your swim with some other activities, such as walking, running or lifting weights. Swimming
tones your entire body while providing an excellent cardiovascular workout; it strengthens your heart muscle and improves delivery of oxygen to muscles. It's also a uniquely gentle, relaxing activity
that almost anyone can do.
Swimming for Fitness
If you plan to start a swimming routine, purchase a pair of goggles for awimming in a chlorinated pool and have access to a paddleboard or kickboard to support your upper body
when doing kicking exercises. Assuming that you are an average swimmer, interval training three days a week is recommended for overall physical fitness improvement. Try swimming a lap, then resting for
30 seconds. If that's too easy, swim for 5 minutes and rest for one, working up to a total of 30 minutes of active swimming.
Once you're fit, your workout can increase to easy stroking for
five to ten minutes to increase your heart rate, followed by 20 to 40 minutes of continuous swimming. The strokes you use will depend on your level of expertise and personal preference; the four main
styles are backstroke, sidestroke, crawl or freestyle, and breaststroke. A good routine should include more than one, so you can work different muscle groups.
After the main workout, do about five
minutes of relaxed, easy swimming to give your heart rate a chance to slow down; follow that by stretching your arms and legs. By the way, you do sweat during an aquatic workout, so drink water before
and after swimming. You might consider bringing a water bottle to the pool, too, and drinking whenever you rest.
Accessories
Of course, you'll need a swimsuit that fits you comfortably and that won't need adjusting during exercise. For women, a one-piece is the best bet; for men,
racing-style suits make the most sense. A bathing cap is a necessity for those with long hair and goggles help protect the eyes from irritation caused by pool chlorine. And if you'll be swimming
outdoors, don't forget to use lots of good waterproof sunscreen. Check out the currrent styles in caps, bathing suits and pool eye-wear in our pool boyz photo gallery.
Swimwear Pool Fashions
Our AQUAfashionBUZZ PHOTO GALLERIES: POOL WEAR show some of the pool wear styleS currently in vogue and to select the appropriate style that makes you feel good and comfortable.
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