Swimming benefits: why this sport is good for the heart, body and soul!

Updated : Sep 07, 2021 09:37
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Vishakha Somani

Suitable for nearly all age groups, swimming is an Olympic sport but you don’t have to be an athlete to reap all its benefits.  

From the mental to the physical, there is hardly a part of your body that does not benefit from the joy of taking a dip. Let’s see what makes this life-saving skill a great activity for all! 

Complete body workout 

Unlike many exercises, swimming engages every major muscle group in the body which makes it a great full-body workout. By including different strokes in the same routine, swimming can help increase your heart rate without stressing your body, tone muscles, boost endurance and help manage your weight.  

Appropriate for nearly everyone 

Swimming is considered a safe movement activity for people with arthritis, certain injuries, disabilities and other illnesses that may otherwise make high-impact exercise difficult. While studies have proven the benefits of swimming for people in recovery, it is best to consult your doctor before diving in.

SEE MORE Cardio 101: Get that heart pumping!

Improve mental well-being 

Water-based exercises are also great for your mental health. A study in the Perceptual and Motor Skills journal found that swimming regularly improved moods in both men and women. While exercise therapy in warm water even helped decrease anxiety for pregnant women and people with fibromyalgia. 

Massive calorie burner 

Did you know that swimming burns more calories than jogging? A person weighing 72.5 kg can burn around 423 calories swimming at a moderate pace for one hour while he or she would only burn around 314 calories at an average walking speed for the same amount of time.

SEE MORE Cycle your way to better health! Here's why cycling is good for you

Weight lossExerciseSportfitnessswimming

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