Why swim? The many benefits of exercising in water

I’ve been swimming, competing, lollygagging and generally enjoying the water for 55 years. Having played sports from soccer and football to track and cycling, the environment I love best is water. Here’s a quick summary of the many benefits. I hope to see you in the pool!

Buoyancy: The physics of water helps you perform movements that are more difficult to execute on land. Since 90 percent of your body is buoyant when you’re neck deep, there’s no pounding or jarring!

Resistance: Water offers 12 percent to 14 percent more resistance than land exercises, slowing any sudden movements and allowing continual resistance to every move. 

Cooling Effects: Exercising in a pool is much cooler and more comfortable than on land; water disperses heat, continuously cools you, and reduces overheating.

Overall Fitness: Swimming improves flexibility, strengthens the heart muscle, increases circulation, improves endurance, and helps to maintain a healthy weight. It also provides a low impact and low injury risk workout. It’s just easier getting in shape and staying there.

Therapeutic: Being submerged in water naturally rehabilitates muscles, and it can aid recovery from accidents or illness.

Social: Hanging out in a pool (or at the shore!) is a good way to meet people and work out together. There’s fun and fellowship, even while working hard.

Stress Release: Relax ….Swimming helps you momentarily forget about you problems, fosters a positive attitude, contributes to a feeling of well-being and renews your energy.

Fun: Swimming is a playful exercise. Laugh, have fun and enjoy it!

What are some

water exercise options?

Water Walking: Includes forward, backward and sideways actions using regular, short, quick or long steps in waist- or chest-deep water.

Water Aerobics: Full body rhythmic exercises conducted in shallow and/or deep water for 20 minutes or more; designed for cardiovascular benefits.

Water Toning/Strength Toning: Upper and lower body moves designed to strengthen, firm and sculpt muscles by using the resistance of the water and/or water exercise equipment.

Flexibility Training: Large movements using each body part’s full range of motion, along with full body stretches.

Deep Water Running: Simulating running in water at a depth where the feet do not touch the bottom of the pool; flotation devices are used and various running styles, drills, or methods can be used.

Wall Exercise: Using the pool wall for support to isolate various body parts.

Lap Swimming: Using various swimming strokes for a total-body workout.

DOUG IMMEL (dimmel @jewishallianceri.org) is the aquatics director and TigerSharks swim coach at the Alliance’s Dwares JCC, which houses the Lenny Krayzelburg Swim Academy, a learn-to-swim program for children of all ages.