Why Swim©
By Anita Killmier
Health professionals in general largely recognize swimming as perhaps the most beneficial, yet safest form of exercise available. Water (and swimming) offers many advantages as a medium to exercise in. So much so, that Doctors and Physiotherapists recommend it to people for all sorts of reasons. Immersion in water to shoulder level gives a body weight loss of up to 90%.
Pregnant women and overweight swimmers are buoyed up, which counters the feeling of heaviness and lack of balance that land based exercise gives. Motions are slowed down in water, due to greater resistance. Movements are smoother and the dangers of jarring, jolting and joint stress are minimised. The water resistance means that muscles get a greater, more complete workout, enhancing muscle tone in much the same way as using weights in a gym.
Many injured land-based athletes can continue training by switching to the pool. Injured runners and footballers can often be seen donning a buoyancy jacket and running in the pool to rehabilitate and maintain aerobic fitness even with severe shin splints. Pregnant, aged, disabled, overweight, injured and those recovering from operations can all benefit from water's cushioning effect. Cool water in hot climates allows swimmers to exercise with less chance of heat stress.
Warm water in indoor pools is an advantage for many segments of the population including babies, the elderly, those with arthritis and asthmatics. The warm water improves circulation. (Training temperatures are ideal at 27degrees, while teaching requires warmer water, and rehabilitation usually warmer again) Swimming is one of the few exercises performed lying down.
This means the circulatory system has less stress as blood flow returning to the heart from the extremities is easier and causes less venous pooling. With a great variety of strokes and activities, swimming allows a much better balanced, overall muscle development than most other sports. Swimming is a lifetime sport that does not involve body contact, therefore has a low risk of injury.
Apart from improved circulation, cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, muscle tone, posture and general physical appearance, it also lowers blood pressure, reduces stress and helps prevent coronary disease. Aerobically it is proven to help maintain or reduce weight.
Swimming helps alleviate sore feet for those working on their feet all day. It also ‘refreshes’ and revitalises giving renewed energy at the end of the day. Many people say it helps them sleep better at night and enhances sex life. No wonder it is one of the fastest growing forms of exercise around! BUT, swimming badly can cause injuries, particularly from overuse.
If the head is set at slightly at the wrong angle, pain can be referred into the shoulders. It is important that you seek an EXPERIENCED, knowledgeable teacher or coach. Doctors frequently refer patients to ‘swim’ but are not specific enough with their advice. Some strokes can have a deleterious effect on a patient. For example if you have knee, hip or ankle issues Breastroke kick should be avoided. Those with back injuries should avoid Breaststroke and Butterfly.
The some strokes can badly exacerbate injuries, particularly neck or shoulder injuries if you have poor technique so it might be wise to seek lessons before embarking on an exercise program with an injury. We have over 40 years experience in the industry and our teachers are generally swimmers themselves, with years of swimming training and experience behind them.
Our curriculum is constantly evolving to reflect best practice.
Pregnant women and overweight swimmers are buoyed up, which counters the feeling of heaviness and lack of balance that land based exercise gives. Motions are slowed down in water, due to greater resistance. Movements are smoother and the dangers of jarring, jolting and joint stress are minimised. The water resistance means that muscles get a greater, more complete workout, enhancing muscle tone in much the same way as using weights in a gym.
Many injured land-based athletes can continue training by switching to the pool. Injured runners and footballers can often be seen donning a buoyancy jacket and running in the pool to rehabilitate and maintain aerobic fitness even with severe shin splints. Pregnant, aged, disabled, overweight, injured and those recovering from operations can all benefit from water's cushioning effect. Cool water in hot climates allows swimmers to exercise with less chance of heat stress.
Warm water in indoor pools is an advantage for many segments of the population including babies, the elderly, those with arthritis and asthmatics. The warm water improves circulation. (Training temperatures are ideal at 27degrees, while teaching requires warmer water, and rehabilitation usually warmer again) Swimming is one of the few exercises performed lying down.
This means the circulatory system has less stress as blood flow returning to the heart from the extremities is easier and causes less venous pooling. With a great variety of strokes and activities, swimming allows a much better balanced, overall muscle development than most other sports. Swimming is a lifetime sport that does not involve body contact, therefore has a low risk of injury.
Apart from improved circulation, cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, muscle tone, posture and general physical appearance, it also lowers blood pressure, reduces stress and helps prevent coronary disease. Aerobically it is proven to help maintain or reduce weight.
Swimming helps alleviate sore feet for those working on their feet all day. It also ‘refreshes’ and revitalises giving renewed energy at the end of the day. Many people say it helps them sleep better at night and enhances sex life. No wonder it is one of the fastest growing forms of exercise around! BUT, swimming badly can cause injuries, particularly from overuse.
If the head is set at slightly at the wrong angle, pain can be referred into the shoulders. It is important that you seek an EXPERIENCED, knowledgeable teacher or coach. Doctors frequently refer patients to ‘swim’ but are not specific enough with their advice. Some strokes can have a deleterious effect on a patient. For example if you have knee, hip or ankle issues Breastroke kick should be avoided. Those with back injuries should avoid Breaststroke and Butterfly.
The some strokes can badly exacerbate injuries, particularly neck or shoulder injuries if you have poor technique so it might be wise to seek lessons before embarking on an exercise program with an injury. We have over 40 years experience in the industry and our teachers are generally swimmers themselves, with years of swimming training and experience behind them.
Our curriculum is constantly evolving to reflect best practice.