The Benefits Of Swimming by Kristoph Thompson

Swimming just once a week will add variety to your routine, you’ll find it makes all the difference you look forward to your other workouts as you won’t be doing them so often.

You’ll be working different muscles than you normally do, adding another dimension to your fitness programme.

Swimming can be a really hard workout, during half an hour of vigorous swimming a 10 stone individual burns 360 calories, the equivalent of running at 12 kph for the same time.

The cooling effect of the water means that you’re not consciously sweating as much as you would in the gym, allowing you to exercise longer and harder.

The water supports you as you swim, so although you’ve just had a workout your muscles will feel more relaxed than if you’d just left a class.

Points to remember:

1. You need to be swimming energetically to get the most out of your time in the water, you’re not on holiday now so wear a pair of goggles and be prepared to get your hair wet!
2. Different strokes work different muscles, don’t just stick to one and don’t be afraid to try something new.
3. Swimming etiquette does exist and faster swimmers can get quite funny if you don’t let them pass at the end, there’s no need to be intimidated just make sure you pick the right lane.
4. It may not seem like you’re losing fluids but you are, if you’re planning on being in the water longer than thirty minutes take a water bottle of stop for drink breaks to avoid dehydration.
5. A swimming workout is just like any other so make sure you perform a warm-up, cool-down, and stretches (for the shoulders especially).

Using a float or pull buoy to concentrate solely on your arms and legs

Adding sprints into your session, swim one length as fast as you can using one stroke and swim back at a comfortable speed using another.

Having a swimming lesson. If you were not taught how to swim by a professional, just one lesson can make all the difference to your technique. An efficient technique really enables you to get more enjoyment out of each.

Copyright 2007 Kristoph Thompson BA MA CSCS. Kristoph runs a successful personal training business in the UK, working with a variety of groups and individuals from professional footballers to those with disabilities, and most recently, Britain’s Strongest Man. www.kristoph.co.uk