If you aren’t a big fan of cardio because it makes you sweat profusely, summer is the perfect time to start looking for alternative training options that you will actually enjoy. One of the most common activities engaged in during the hot summer months it swimming. But how can you incorporate swimming into your fitness routines? And how does it actually help? Let’s take a look at some of the evidence that may encourage you to take the plunge and add swimming to your fitness plan.
Why Is Swimming a Popular Form of Cardio?
Over time, you’ve likely heard of the term “swimmers body”, which is synonymous with athletes like Michael Phelps. By swimming for hours a day, professional swimmers have developed their own body type consisting of lean muscle paired with a fairly low BMI. The act of swimming requires the entire body. That means aside from the normal cardio benefits, you are incorporating every part of your body into your workout routine.
One of the biggest benefits is the ability to keep your core temperature down and achieve a great full body workout in a low impact environment. This can be as simple as swimming laps at a pace you are comfortable with for a minimum of 2 ½ hours throughout the week. If you choose to swim outside of a swimming pool, make sure you take the appropriate safety concerns into account when entering a lake or other body of water.
How Can You Get Started?
If you don’t already know how to swim, there has never been a better time to learn. Most YMCAs and local gyms that have pools also provide classes to help you learn the basics of swimming. Not only will this improve your fitness levels, but it will also ensure you are safe in the event of an emergency that requires you to swim to safety. No matter what your reasons for getting started may be, swimming is one of the easiest ways to improve your fitness levels while limiting strain on the body.