Info Sport-Santé: Swimming to improve your physical condition

Swimming is a very complete sport that solicits all the muscles of our body. It is therefore ideal for getting back in shape. If you practice another sport, swimming will also allow you to increase your performance in this sport with lifeguard certification near me.

Swimming is practiced in different ways according to the desires and objectives of the swimmers. The athlete can, in fact, choose to vary the strokes he practices and the speed at which he travels the pool. To encourage you to go swimming, here are the advantages of this sport.

Swimming is an easily accessible activity

First of all, it is not necessary to be in a club to be able to benefit from this sport. With municipal swimming pools offering attractive prices, swimming is an inexpensive sport. It is possible to find swimming pools everywhere and the time spent in the pools is generally not limited.

Swimming increases endurance capacity

By making the effort to swim several meters, the practitioner works on his cardio. And with his head under water, he learns to make a muscular effort by cutting his breath. In the long term, the latter is better controlled thanks to a reinforcement of the pulmonary capacities and the sportsman is less exhausted during a physical effort.

The front crawl is the stroke that best optimizes endurance. This swim requires good control of your breathing in the water. When the technique is acquired, it is practiced quickly. Breaststroke, which is the most popular stroke, also improves endurance but not speed with Lifeguard Class Near  Me.

It allows complete muscle building

Swimming requires all the muscles to contract to ensure movement in the water. However, compared to other sports, this muscle building is done gently thanks to the water which reduces the feeling of the effort provided. Depending on the strokes, certain muscles are all the more targeted and can allow muscle areas to be worked effectively:

The front crawl is more centered on the glutes, arms and shoulders. This stroke is also very effective in improving body alignment

The breaststroke solicits the muscles of the calves, the inside of the thighs, the knees, the abdominal belt, the shoulders but also the pectorals and the triceps. For more benefits, sinking swimming, that is to say with the head under water, is recommended.

The backstroke mainly strengthens the back and abdominal muscles

Swimming promotes the coordination of movements

Swimming requires being able to separate the movements of the upper body from those of the lower body in order to be able to move forward. It is therefore essential to be coordinated. In this, practicing swimming strengthens the capacities of coordination of our motor actions.

 

It is the butterfly that demonstrates the most benefits at this level. But this swim is more technical and less accessible than the others. It is therefore rather practiced by club swimmers. The front crawl also promotes this coordination work.

Aquatic practice protects the joints

Unlike other sports, swimming does not strain the joints. If you are fragile at this level, swimming is totally adequate to focus on muscle building. It is therefore a very good sport to get back in shape after an injury or when you have aches.

Swimming is relaxing

Like many sports, swimming produces endorphins that make you feel good and relaxed when you come out of the pool. The backstroke is the stroke that relaxes the most during practice. It is also recommended to fight against back problems.

Other positive effects of swimming

With the regular contraction and relaxation of muscles, swimming improves blood circulation. Which is good for the heart.

Water drains the body (especially in the legs) thanks to its cold temperature and its pressure. Thus, the elimination of cellulite is easier. The skin is smoothed and firmed.

Swimming promotes high energy expenditure. The swimmer burns between 200 and 600 calories per hour. This activity makes it possible to draw on the fat resources of the individual from 40 minutes of sustained practice of the activity.

This sport makes it possible to lengthen the muscles, which is ideal for refining your silhouette.