Even though swimming is regarded as one of the most popular sports across the globe, it is said to be more predominant in other regions such as Australia. Due to the amount of water we are surrounded with, swimming has become a passion for those who pick an interest.
Aside from the aspect of being fun, swimming is an essential sport that can help you stay healthy, keep fit, and make friends. Generally speaking, swimming is a healthy activity that can help you keep fit for a lifetime. As a low-impact activity, swimming involves both mental and physical benefits to your body.
Swimming for the sake Recreation
For those who swim just for the fun of it, see swimming as a recreational activity, as it cuts across all ages. People who engage in swimming as recreation enjoy a low-impact form of workout that helps them to feel relaxed and good about their bodies.
Also, there are styles in swimming and the more you practice, the more you master different swimming styles and techniques. These recreational swimming styles include the sidestroke, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle.
Competitive swimming
Some people do not just see swimming as recreation, but as a competitive sport that they enjoy and wish to join the competitive aspect of swimming. Due to this, such persons indulge themselves with vigorous work out that is beneficial to their health as well as the fun and thrill of competition.
Notably, there are specific swimming styles accustomed to competitive swimming, such as freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, and breaststroke. Also, there is a specific amount of distance usually covered in swimming competitions.
Hence, it’s vital to practice those distances to prepare yourself for the main competition. These distances vary and range from 50 meters to further distances in open water or pool.
The Health Benefits that Swimming Provides to You
Earlier, we mentioned how beneficial swimming is to your health. It entails that you need to set your entire body in motion against the resistance of the water.
We have outlined the health benefits of swimming, as it is a beneficial activity. Below is our outline:
- Swimming aids in keeping your heart rate up. However, it causes some stress to your body due to the effect of the activity.
- Swimming helps you to build strength, build endurance, and cardiovascular fitness.
- Swimming helps you to build strength and tone muscles.
- When you swim, the body in your organs is maintained.
- Swimming aids you as it provides you with an overall body workout, as virtually all your muscles are in motion during swimming sessions.
We cannot overlook some other benefits of swimming. These other benefits include:
- Staying relaxed and peaceful while swimming, and exercising the body.
- Improving your flexibility and alleviating stress.
- Improving your posture, balance, and general coordination.
- Providing you with a favorable way to cool down during tense (hot) seasons.
- Being present in many places. Knowing how to swim helps you to easily swim in pool, dams, rivers, beaches, and lakes. However, always ensure that you choose an environment that is safe before you swim.
Necessary Preparations to Start Swimming
Getting started with swimming is not difficult, as it is a sport designed for all ages. It is easy and straightforward, but before you start, it is ideal that you purchase your swimming kits in the form of swimmers and some goggles.
A good site to acquire top quality swimming kits is https://www.swimhub.com.sg/ as they are relatively cheap when compared to other competitors.
There are public pools throughout Singapore that are open to everyone and entry to these pools just cost a few Singapore dollars. Also, you can access aquatic centres for swimming lessons. By doing so, it will help you to improve your swimming skill and at the same time connect with others.
Some general tips for swimming
Before you start swimming, there are some vital tips to always have at the back of your mind. These general tips include:
- Choosing a safe swimming environment.
- Making sure you can swim properly.
- Adequate Stretching of your muscles and joints before you enter the water or pool to start swimming.
- Having sufficient fluids on hand as well as drinking regularly.
- Preventing overconfidence or over swimming, especially if you just got started.
- Seeing your doctor if you have not exercised in a long time.
Things to remember
There are certain things you should always remember whether you consider swimming as recreation or something much more. Here are things to always remember:
- Aside from being fun, swimming is an ideal way to keep yourself fit mentally and physically. Also, learn to make friends while swimming.
- Swimming is regarded as a low-impact activity. It provides you with so many benefits including both physical and mental benefits.
- Always lookout for the environment you intend to swim in before you swim. By doing so, you will know if it’s safe and you’d know if it’s something you can swim as the depth of water varies.
