The perfect workout
First up in our water sports series is swimming. Of all the activities we can do to keep our bodies healthy, swimming is one of the most beneficial. People of nearly any age and ability can learn to swim and enjoy exercise that is catered to their specific needs. If you have injuries or health conditions that require a low-impact workout that won’t take a toll on your body, swimming is the perfect sport, as your buoyancy in the water will take pressure off your bones and joints. At the same time, swimming can be an intense cardiovascular exercise that provides an all-over body workout. Nearly all of your muscles are used during swimming, and the versatile sport helps build endurance as well as strengthens the heart and lungs. An hour of swimming can burn up to 500 calories! So, depending on whether you choose to swim slowly and cautiously or as intensely as possible, swimming can be tailored to fit your fitness needs. Swimming done in a pool is referred to as closed-water swimming, while open-water swimming is in any natural location that is not confined, like the ocean or lake. An enjoyable solitary activity, swimming can also be fun in groups or as a competitive sport. Depending on your desire, you can focus on the tranquility of being in water, improving your technique, increasing your stamina, burning calories, or breaking records!

Crucial life skill
Experts agree that swimming should be taught at an early age because drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in children of all ages, but it also affects adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ranks drowning as the 5th leading cause of unintentional injury death in the USA. While the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends formal swimming lessons for children age 4 and above, they are not opposed to lessons for younger children. Infant and toddler aquatic programs are quite common, and while these do not necessarily teach children to swim faster, they can foster positive associations with water and help teach some drowning prevention strategies.

Which lessons are right for me?
A quick internet search will usually uncover a variety of aquatic activities in your area. The American Red Cross, the YMCA, and many private businesses offer swimming lessons, and the only tricky part might be deciding what type of lessons to sign up for.

Private lessons are a good fit for people who:

• have anxiety about water or learning to swim
• want to make rapid progress
• have more money to spend, as private lessons are generally more expensive
• do not necessarily want to socialize or compete while swimming
• are self-motivated
• want the instructor’s full attention at all times

Group lessons might be the best choice for those who:

• enjoy the social, fun, or competitive aspects of swimming
• have less money to spend
• are not in a rush to perfect their skills
• benefit from peer encouragement
• can wait patiently for their turn

Whether you backstroke or crawl, jump in a pool or dive in the ocean, swimming is a versatile, low-cost, enjoyable, and healthy sport. At Splashgear, we’ve got the swimwear to help you enjoy every minute of your time in the water.

Got questions? Ask us! Send your queries to [email protected] or call us at 1.866.246.6340.


________
Sources:

- “Unintentional Drowning: Get the Facts” under Home and Recreational Safety, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov.
- “When Kids Should Start Swimming Lessons” under Fitness/Active Play, verywell.com. Vincent Iannelli, MD. February 3, 2020.