Swimming is a great way to exercise as it can have benefits for cardiovascular fitness, mobility, and weight management and the combined effect of released endorphins, weightlessness and time to yourself can do much for improving psychological well-being.
Swim on your own, meet friends or go along to an aqua class, there are many ways to benefit from exercising in the water.
CONSIDERATIONS
- If you’re a swimmer returning to the pool after treatment, consider the use of a float and a staged return to swimming. After time away from the pool you may not be as fit as you once were.
- If you have lowered immunity, consider whether the pool is a suitable environment.
- If you have a lower back problem, limit your use of breaststroke as it requires a sustained hyperextension of the lower back. Alternatively, hold a float to your chest while kicking on your back, or use side strokes. If you need to use breaststroke then it is better to put your head in the water between strokes and lengthen your body out.
- Consider different pools; flat pool floors can give you more confidence than sloped floors and the temperature of water and changing facilities can vary between facilities.
- It is never too late to have lessons, and there are many opportunities to have group or individual sessions.
- Aquarobics is a great way to get active in the water. Most pools will have group aqua sessions each week so why not find out when they are.
- Get your head in the water! From our experience this is one of the biggest barriers to improving technique in adults and when you have cracked it there are no limits!