Saturday, March 31, 2007

EXERCISE TIP: Lap it Up!



We’ve spent the last couple of weeks watching the Swimming World Championships, but just how good is swimming for us? Swimming is a great lifetime sport that benefits the whole body. Regular swimming builds muscle strength, endurance and cardiovascular fitness. It offers a great way to warm-up before exercise or to cool-down after a tough workout. It can also offer an excellent cross-training element to regular training sessions.
Swimming is great for runners who want to take some impact off the legs and body, but who want to keep their heart rate up. Kicking work-outs, water aerobics, pool running and a regular swimming workout can also help with injuries as it gives a great body workout without the weight of your body pounding you with each move. Swimming also provides psychological benefits as it helps you to relax. If you simply focus on nothing but your strokes, swimming can be a form of meditation and is a great way to gain a feeling of wellbeing.
All you need to get started is a pair of bathers and goggles. For those looking for more variety in their swimming, you can also purchase a kickboard and/or a pull buoy and incorporate these into your program. For whatever level of swimming you are at, vary your training sessions by mixing continuous swimming, with time trials, kicking drills (using the kickboard) and pulling drills (using a pull buoy between your legs). Adjust the distances and times according to your ability and fitness. And most of all remember to enjoy yourself!

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