Since I already wrote about benefits of running and cycling, I think it’s only fair to talk about all the awesome benefits of swimming!
I may be biased, but I think swimming is the greatest! First of all, it’s super important to know how to, even if you don’t pick it up as a sport. It’s a matter of safety! It’s a lot easier to learn how to swim when you are a kid, before a chance to develop phobias. Which reminded me a friend of mine who recently tried to learn how to swim as an adult. She totally panicked. What wonderful bruises she had from clutching onto the ropes! (oh, and the water was shallow enough that she could have stood there)
Here is a couple of other common ‘complaints’ about swimming:
- Being self-conscious about walking around in a swimsuit – people aren’t really looking. At least not at the workout pool. Besides, once you are in the water, they can’t really see, can they?
- Need a place to swim – this one is valid. I am privileged to live in the part of the US where access to pools is pretty easy. Many places have either pools as part of their apartment complex or HOA. And if not? Look for YMCAs and gyms – at least some will have a place to swim and fees to join usually aren’t really any worse than those for a regular gym. And if you’re lucky, you have access to open water (and I’m low-key jealous)
- It takes planning – I know… But once you get there, you have a better chance to run into same people every week. You could make friends! Find somebody who’d keep you accountable!
Multiple benefits of swimming match benefits of running and cycling:
- Helps you avoid heart and cardiovascular disease
- Helps prevent diabetes
- It’s cardio, so some weight loss may happen, too!
- You will most likely sleep better
- It boosts your immune system
- It’s good for your mental health
Some are shared only with cycling:
- Pick your own intensity – to be fair, you can do it with running. Although I feel like it’s more true for swimming and biking, since if you slow down too much when running, you’re just walking (nothing wrong with that, but you’re changing your activity)
- It’s low impact – this means you can do it any time and your body won’t need as much time to recover. Yay!
Some unique benefits of swimming:
- It works out all major muscle groups. Cycling is better at it than running, but you can’t match swimming! Arms, legs, core…
- It tones your muscle – it’s hard to get bulky if swimming is your only workout
- You are at total peace – I know some people find waterproof headphones and all, but vast majority of us will enjoy pool time as complete peace
- It’s safe – seriously, unless some stupid kid decides to cross your lane at an inopportune time, your risk of injury is negligible (unless your form sucks, but that’s a risk in any sport)
- Good for your lungs, including for people with asthma (although chemicals in the pool may be a trigger – so check first)
- Good for pregnant women – no bouncing the belly around, like while running or squeezing it like during cycling. And the weightlessness…
- Speaking of weightlessness: it can be great for people with various existing injuries and health conditions. It’s not a coincidence that elderly do aqua aerobic!
- Some articles, like this one, claim that you can swim longer than you can bike or run. I call bs on that though – I can bike for 5 hours just fine, run for like 3. I can assure you that I cannot swim for that long and I wouldn’t hold my breath for that happening any time soon
- Last but not least: it’s an indoor sport without compromising its appeal (like when you get to jump on a treadmill or a stationary bike), so it’s awesome training for when weather outside is awful. Like you know, when it’s obscenely hot.
I hope you are now convinced you need swimming in your routine. Keep training and I will see you out there!