active journal > active inspiration > dive in: reasons to make swimming your go-to summer workout
Resistance Training:
Water is around 800 times denser than air, making swimming a more effective resistance workout than running.
Calorie Blaster:
Swimming is an excellent exercise for burning fat. An hour of intense swimming training will burn up to 650 calories, making it more effective than walking or biking. To boost your metabolism and lose weight, aim to swim for twenty minutes, three to four times a week.
The Feel-Good Workout:
Swimming has been compared to yoga as a relaxing, meditative exercise. It not only has a soothing effect on the mind and body, but also releases feel-good endorphins into the bloodstream.
Core Strength:
Moving through the water requires the use of your hip, back and abdominal muscles. This makes swimming an excellent core workout - and it is this core strength that plays a big role in avoiding injury in other sports later on.
Take it Easy:
Swimming is an excellent low-impact exercise and is easier on the joints and bones, making it perfect for those limited by injuries or arthritic pain.