Why Swimming Should Be Your New Cardio Workout
Swimming is often overlooked as a form of cardio, often eclipsed by land sports such as running and jogging. However, swimming provides unique fitness benefits that will have you thinking twice next time you decide if you should grab your running shoes or a swimsuit next time you're in need of your cardio fix! Here are all the awesome reasons why swimming should be your new cardio workout on the blog today!
Mixing up your workout is healthy: Your body can get used to certain workouts if you do it too often. That means you aren't burning as many calories, or benefiting from it as much as you would if you mixed it up a bit. So, why not try something new? Swimming can be just that for you!
It's a low impact workout for those with joint problems: If you have sensitive joints or are recovering from an injury, you might find swimming to be the workout for you. Since you aren't pounding pavement and putting tons of impact on your joints, it's easier to get in a good workout without feeling it wear down on your body.
Builds endurance, muscle, and cardiovascular fitness all at once: Swimming isn't just a cardio workout! It helps you to tone all your muscles due to the water resistance that you're fighting against. That means, not only are you burning calories to look trim, you will look toned as well!
It's an all over body workout: You use just about every muscle in your body to swim a lap in a pool. Your arms, your core, your back, and your legs are all pushing to get you from point a to point b, meaning you are getting one heck of an efficient workout while swimming your laps!
It's amazing for your lungs: As it turns out, naturally holding your breath while you swim is great for your lungs! It helps teach your body how to use oxygen efficiently when it is not readily available. This means you are expelling more carbon dioxide with each exhale, and inhaling more air with each breath. Swimmers have lower resting heart rates and lower blood pressure than runners do, on average!
Anyone can do it: New moms, those recovering from injuries, triathlon competitors, and average-joe gym goers, can all perform various intensities of swim workouts. It's a great way to get a workout in even if you are experiencing a special situation and may not be able to perform a run to the best of your abilities.
Imagine the places you'll go!: Swimming in the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean? Backstroking across a beautiful lake in Yosemite? What about a dip in the San Francisco Bay? Yes, these are amazing adventures that swimming can take you on! Being a strong swimmer can take you places you'd never thought of going before. So grab your swim cap and goggles, and get going!
