Australia is a nation that loves spending time in, on and around the water, and swimming is one of our most popular sports! Apart from being great fun, swimming is a fantastic activity for everyone - young and old - as it's a low-impact activity that helps you keep fit and healthy.
What are the health benefits of swimming?
- It's a great workout that gets your whole body moving - head to toe!
- While the water creates resistance it also supports your body making it great low-impact resistance training
- Boosts your heart rate, builds endurance, increases muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness
- Helps maintain a healthy weight, healthy heart and strong lungs
- Tones muscles and builds strength
- Research shows that compared with inactive people, swimmers have about half the risk of death.
- Some studies show that swimming may help lower blood pressure and control blood sugar.
- A safe exercise option for people with injuries, arthritis and disabilities
- Has been shown to reduce joint pain and stiffness in people with osteoarthritis
- Humid environment in an aquatic centre aids people with asthma (but salt water pools are better than chlorine for asthmatics).
- Breathing exercises associated with swimming, like holding your breath, may help to expand your lung capacity and gain control over your breathing.
- Burns far more calories that other low impact sports like walking, yoga and elliptical trainer sessions.
- Improves your sleep - research shows a regular aerobic exercise boosts quality of sleep in people with insomnia
- Boosts your mood and helps manage stress -participants in our Aqua Skills 55+ program have credited the course for boosting their social interactions, with many saying they’ve forged new friendships which support an active lifestyle and a deeper connection to the community.
- Great for kids! Kids need a minimum of 60 minutes of aerobic exercise each day - swimming is a fun activity that doesn't feel like a formal workout!
So whether you head to your local pool to do some laps, or the beach or river, add some swimming into your weekly routine and feel better for it!
You can find out more about swimming activities near you by contacting one of our Endorsed Swim Schools.
