We’ve all heard that swimming is a good way to exercise, but why is that?
Besides being more fun, moving around in water is also more work. Water is almost 800 times denser than air, so even a casual swim will burn about 500 calories an hour. If you really get into it, you can easily burn up to 700 calories an hour.
Swimming is also a superior workout since most common swim strokes involve nearly all parts of the body. This helps build stronger, better toned muscles. At the same time, since water makes us basically “weightless”, it gives our joints a rest. Unlike other types of excercise, you can swim every day without risk of injury. Therefore, swimming is something you can do for your entire life.
Can swimming actually help us stay younger?
According to studies presented at the American College of Sports Medicine Conference recently, habitual swimmers are biologically up to 20 years younger than their actual age. A swimmer’s blood pressure, cholesterol levels, cardiovascular performance, central nervous system, and cognitive functioning are all comparable to someone far younger.
So there you have it. If you want to stay young and healthy – keep swimming!