25 Great Reasons to Swim

Why You Need to Get or Find a Pool, ASAP

BY LISA HALLETT TAYLOR

Updated 06/27/17

While swimming is most often associated with summer, it's a physical activity in which anyone can participate any time of the year if there is an indoor pool available or temperatures are mild. Of course, when it gets hot, everyone starts looking around for the friend with the pool. The next best bet: a local club or community pool, the cleaner and less crowded the better, of course. Swimming isn't just a fun way to cool off during the summer. It is one of the few sports or activities that doesn't cost lots of money or require any equipment. It holds no age or ability barrier.

According to data collected by the U.S. Census, swimming ranked fourth in popularity of sports activities in the U.S.—just under camping. Fish that swimsuit out of the clear box on the shelf in your closet, grab a friend and head for the nearest pool. But before you do, discover 25 compelling reasons to make swimming a part of your life.

01 of 25

It's Popular

Not that we recommend you do it because everyone else does it—if the popular kids were all jumping off a bridge, does that make it OK? Swimming is popular for a good reason, or actually many good reasons, as you will find out as you continue to read. According to the latest U.S. Census report:

• Swimming ranks No. 3 in popularity of sports activities
• Swimming ranks 4th most-popular sport in U.S.
• Swimming for fitness ranked No. 2 in the growth of top activities in the United States in 2013 with 3.1 million new participants, according to PHIT America.
• Swimming for fitness averages No. 2 in “aspirational” sports participation on non-participants by age (6 to 65+) for the 2016 Physical Activity Council Report.
• According to the Fitbit Activity Index, swimming is the No. 3 fitness activity for all ages in Great Britain, No. 4 in Australia, and No. 7 in the United States.

So, how do you like it now?

02 of 25

Increases Flexibility

Pool water's buoyancy counteracts the force of gravity, making swimming an ideal low-impact form of exercise that puts very little stress on those bones and joints. If it's a heated pool (even better!), muscles will become relaxed, which increases flexibility and enables you to engage in important stretching exercises. If you're one of those fitness types who engage in intense lactic-acid-building endurance workouts—like running, cycling or weights—swimming helps flush out toxins andimpurities, preventing muscle tightness and soreness the next day.

03 of 25

Burns Calories

Swimming is one of the easiest and best ways to burn unwanted calories: an hour of swimming burns about 500 calories. Apparently, those myths about swimmers and calorie intake are true. Just look at Michael Phelps. Swimming increases your metabolism, continuing the "burn" for a while even when you've exited the pool.

04 of 25

Helps You Quit Smoking

Yeah, right. The water puts out the smoke. If that doesn't do it, the 'No Smoking' sign will. If you've ever tried to quit smoking or know someone in the process, they can be pretty irritable. Jump in a pool and swim—it works.

05 of 25

Improves Coordination

Swimming works your body's motor coordination. Over two thirds of the body musculature is engaged when you swim. The upper and lower body, trunk, head, arms and legs are forced to work together to make a balanced effort.

06 of 25

Improves Posture

Mom always told you to stop slouching. It's still not too late. Swimming strengthens joints and improves posture by improving the position of the spinal column. This makes it an excellent exercise for people with all kinds of back problems and issues.

07 of 25

Good for Anyone; Everyone

Seniors in their 90s do it. Toddlers (with a parent in tow) do it. Swimming is good for everyone, at any age. Once you step into the water and start moving around, your body becomes ageless. If only we could feel that good all of the time!

08 of 25

Total-Body Workout

You hear about certain forms of exercise being a "total-body workout." Maybe—but swimming is the original total-body workout: it targets everything from sculpting your back to toning your arms. No heavy equipment or weights are necessary. Instead of buying lots of different pieces of exercise equipment to work specific muscles, jump in the pool and tone your whole body in a few laps.

09 of 25

Come As You Are

This doesn't mean swim naked, although, if you want to go skinny dipping in your own private pool, that's up to you. For the average person, swimming does not require lots of special equipment and gear. All you really need is a swimsuit. The other extras, like a towel, swim cap, goggles, swimmers earplugs, kickboard, pool float (for relaxing), noodle, and all of that extra stuff is up to you and your budget.

10 of 25

Cardio Conditioning

Compared to running, there is more breath control with swimming, which creates an increased demand for oxygen, making those muscles work harder, without knowing it. Swimming also strengthens the heart, making it become larger. The heart's pumping action also becomes more refined, which leads to better blood circulation.

11 of 25

Beats the Heat

It's no great revelation that swimming refreshing: when temperatures climb sometimes the only relief can be found in that big body of water. Too bad there are so many other bodies taking up space in the water! Some people enjoy swimming at night under the stars. The crowds have cleared, there's no need to use UV sunblock, and it's sometimes just you, whoever you're with, the night sky, and the pool. Magical!

12 of 25

Self-Esteem

It's true with any exercise or sport—they build confidence and raise self-esteem. OK—so you may not get a team t-shirt or a trophy, but regular swimming also does these things, and increases your self-reliance. You feel more powerful—ready to face the world.

13 of 25

For a Lifetime

Swimming is one of the few sports you can do throughout your lifetime. Unlike something like soccer, baseball or skiing, you won't need to "retire" from swimming. It will always be there for you.

14 of 25

Taller, Longer, Leaner

Does swimming make you taller? Just look at Michael Phelps. While it isn't going to add height where the genetics and potential aren't there, swimming has the ability to build longer, leaner muscles. It's those "swimmer's muscles" combined with resistance training and cardio that help boost your metabolism to keep those calories burning longer. Swimming can also put your body through a range of movements, helping your muscles stay nice and long and flexible.

15 of 25

Joints

Let's say you are recovering from an injury and are hoping to build or rebuild strength. Swimming will fulfill that need and desire. It's easy on the joints and gives sore knees a rest from constant pounding on the pavement— something you may not be able to do for a while.

16 of 25

Weight Loss

For some, just the idea or act of wearing a swimsuit in public (even in a backyard pool) can be the motivating force to shed a few pounds. People who consistently swim strenuously enough to be out of breath when they finish and elevate their heart rate do burn calories and lose weight," says Jane Moore, M.D., a physician and active swimmer from Tacoma, Washington. "The key is to push yourself a bit."

"Putting on a swimsuit and appearing in public should also motivate one to shed a few pounds," says Kris Houchens, head coach of the YMCA Indianapolis SwimFit Masters. Whatever your reason, or whatever the excuse of a friend or partner, that swimming has not been incorporated into a consistent fitness routine, the list above should illuminate the ways in which the sport can add to your quality of life.

17 of 25

Socialisation

If you own a pool, then you know what a magnet it can be in the summer time. Everyone wants to hang out at the kid-with-the-pool's house. While it may mean extra water-watching time for Mom or Dad, there's no denying that it brings children and adults together. Pools are all about socialization—they are a culture unto themselves.

18 of 25

Team and Individual Sport

If you have that competitive spirit and are—or strive to be—athletic, then swimming is definitely an exhilarating individual and team sport. Just think about the Olympics, and what you or most people enjoyed watching the most. For me, at least, it as the swimming competitions, especially with those inside-the-pool cameras, catching every breathtaking part of the competition.

Starting from childhood, participating on a swim team can build up strength, confidence and the ability to get along with others—which will help later in life.

19 of 25

Prevents Drowning

Simply put, knowing how to swim means a person is less likely to drown. Start swim lessons at a young age and continue them until the child is proficient in swimming.

20 of 25

Improves Mental Health

It's a proven fact that physical activity improves mood in children and adults. For people with conditions like fibromyalgia, swimming can help decrease stress and anxiety, while relaxing, strengthening and toning muscles. Water-based exercise improves mental health. Swimming can improve mood in both men and women.

Water-based exercise can help people with chronic diseases. For those afflicted with arthritis, it improves the use of affected joints without worsening symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis patients notice an improvement in health after participating in hydrotherapy than with other activities. Swimming and water-based exercise also helps affected joints and decreases pain from osteoarthritis.

Post-Hip and Knee Replacement

If you've had a hip or knee replacement, the doctor may have recommendedhydrotherapy. That means swimming. You can get in the pool right after sutures have been removed and the wound is healed, usually 6 to 8 weeks after surgery.

For Asthma Patients

Swimming has proven to be beneficial for asthma sufferers. Think about it—certain strokes will encourage lung function and breathing control. If you suffer from exercise-induced asthma, jumping in the pool may relieve symptoms, because it allows asthmatics to work out in moist air, reducing symptoms. Because swimming requires breath control, it also improves overall lung and breathing capacity.

22 of 25

Relieves Stress

Ever had an urge to get in your car and just drive away from it all, whatever "it all" is? Everyone needs a little rest and relaxation—that's usually what weekends are supposed to be about. Stress from work, school, family, job hunting all begins to build up. Letting it build up is not healthy for you or those around you.
While it may sound simple, being able to just jump in a pool and start swimming can provide an enormous relief of pressure.

The aerobic benefits of swimming help your circulatory system function better, leading to better blood circulation to your brain. If your brain gets enough blood and oxygen (through aerobic exercise), it starts a process called hippocampal neurogenesis, in which cells from the hippocampus that have been lost due to stress are replaced with new cells.

Aerobic exercises like swimming can trigger the release of endorphins in the brain, which are chemicals that bring about feelings of contentment and euphoria.

23 of 25

Boosts the Immune System

Did you know that swimming can boost your immune system? When cells in the body regularly get blood and oxygen, they function better and do a more effective job or removing toxins like carbon dioxide. This helps your body's overall well being. Swimming also has a positive effect on the lymphatic system. When the lymph system is in order, white blood cells are regularly distributed, resulting in increased immunity against diseases and infections.

24 of 25

Family Oriented

Where there's a pool, the family congregates, for swimming, fun, and a barbecue. It creates a reason to get together—kind of a focal point, or something around which to build activities. Parents of children with developmental disabilities have found that outdoor activities in a casual setting, like swimming, help improve family bonds. It kind of takes the focus off the child, and gives everyone something fun to do; sort of a win/win situation.

25 of 25

Going Solo

While rules used to advise us to "swim with a friend" for safety's sake, that doesn't mean you have to arrange a date every time you want to go swimming. Keeping safety in mind at home, your child can swim solo at home provided you or a designated water watcher is stationed at the pool. The same would be true for a senior adult who goes swimming in his or her backyard pool—it's best to have someone around to keep an eye on you during your workout.

Otherwise, if you are going to the local pool, go alone, take a friend— the choice is yours. Enjoy!

[ Source: https://www.thespruce.com/great-reasons-to-swim-2736611 ]