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shoulders, legs, back, glutes and core. That control bit of swimming helps expand your
means you get a lot of metabolic bang for lung capacity. Be sure to check with your
your cardio buck. Regularly swimming doctor before swimming if you have any
can lead to a significant reduction in body heart or lung condition, just to be safe and
fat and BMI. Swimming also torches not sorry.
unwanted calories. Research has shown 6. Swimming can help you live longer
that on average, a 160-pound person burns Swimming can increase your longevity. If
approximately 423 calories an hour while you’re looking to blow out your hundredth
swimming laps at a low or moderate pace. birthday candle, it’s time to swim away.
3. Swimming is a low impact workout- 7. Swimming is a brain booster
great for injuries, arthritis and pain Exercise in general is magical for your
High intensity workouts can exacerbate mind and body but swimming has a unique
pains, aches and injuries. But don’t worry benefit on cognition and brain health.
you can get an equally fulfilling workout Swimming improves your short term and
in, just swap your high impact workout long term memory.
for a low impact workout like swimming. 8. Swimming improves your sleep
Swimming keeps your heart rate up Listen up insomniacs, swimming has the
without stressing your body, making it power to help you sleep better at night.
a safe exercise option for most people, Swimming helps reset your body’s internal
especially those with arthritis, injury, clock and restores your natural circadian
disabilities or other issues that make high- rhythm.
impact exercises difficult. In some cases 9. Swimming improves your mental
swimming can even help reduce some of health
your pain or even improve your recovery Swimming is one of the few sports that
from an injury. allow you to power down, relax and
4. Swimming increases your fitness, just focus on the task ahead of you. It
muscle mass and is good for bone health disconnects you from constant stimulation,
Swimming is an easy way to stay fit and releases a bunch of feel good hormones.
build your muscle mass because it works Due to the release of happy chemicals and
out most of your muscle groups. It can tone hormones in the brain like endorphins,
and define your full body. The buoyancy dopamine and serotonin, regular
of the water adds resistance which also swimming can reduce stress, lower anxiety
increases your muscle mass. and even combat depression in some cases.
5. Swimming is good for your heart and Swimming is a potentially powerful way to
lungs- it workouts your insides too relieve stress quickly.
While your muscles are getting a good
workout, your cardiovascular system Some common swimming styles are
is, too. Regularly swimming makes Dog Paddle — is often the first stroke a
your heart and lungs strong. Research new swimmer learns. Like its name the
shows swimming has been linked to stroke mimics a four-legged animal, you
improvements in hypertension and blood extend your arms forward and with fingers
pressure. Swimming is also a good option slightly apart you move the water away
for people with asthma as the breath from you in circular motions while your
SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #46 | APRIL 2023 37
