9 Reasons Why You Should Swim All Year Long
Updated: Mar. 20, 2019
Drop by your local indoor pool – or a friend’s in their backyard – for a great workout.
1) It’s A Full Body Workout
Swimming provides all-around fitness results, improving cardio, flexibility, tone and strength while exercising a variety of muscle groups. “Unlike dry-land exercises, swimming engages your entire body,” says Cory Beatt, who coaches Olympic hopefuls on the Simon Fraser University swim team.
2) Swimming Will Boost Your Body Confidence
Stripping down to your bathing suit can be a daunting prospect, but a challenging workout is a great reminder that your body is instrumental, not just ornamental.
3) Swimming Will Strengthen Your Arms
Nothing makes a woman’s arms as sexy as sculpted triceps-no wobble. According to Beatt, all strokes target your arms and shoulders.
4) Swimming Will Give You A Strong, Shapely Back
Swimming is the best exercise for strengthening the muscles that support your spine, warding off future problems.
5) You’ll Have A Strong Core
The constant core work will trim your waist like no other exercise. Strokes like the front and back crawl have a twisting motion that works the waistline. “With nothing to stabilize you in the water, you’re forced to use your core.”
6) Swimming Will Give You A Beautiful Behind
Glutes work with the hip muscles to propel you forward when kicking. In the pool, you will barely notice you’re using them.
7) You’ll Get Strong, Sculpted Legs
Quads, hamstrings, calves and ankles get a workout, keeping your legs sculpted and strong.
8) Swimming Can Be A Great Team Support
If you thrive off of the supportive energy of group fitness, don’t cut out swimming out of your workout regime just yet. Masters Swim Club is a great option for capable swimmers who enjoy intense workouts in a social setting.
9) It’s Low Impact
Swimming is especially beneficial and safe if you have an injury or joint condition. “We recommend swimming to our clients,” says Toronto-based Mary Aisen, a physiotherapist with The Arthritis Society. “The first thing I ask clients is whether they can swim. Even if they can’t, just moving in the water helps.”
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