Swimming is an underrated exercise that sits in the shadows of treadmills, running and weightlifting. But is a fantastic low impact activity for getting into shape and losing weight while working out your entire body. In fact, it’s used by top athletes for both exercise and rehabilitation and is recognized by doctors and fitness experts as one of the best workouts you can give your body.

One of the reasons why swimming has received praise from the medical community is because it works several muscle groups simultaneously. Your arms, legs, shoulders and back are all put to work as your body moves through the water, dealing with far more resistance than air. What’s more, this resistance helps to build strength in your muscles while improving your cardiovascular system.

Because your metabolic rate declines when you’re in the water, swimming isn’t the most effective weight loss exercise you can do. That being said, its low impact quality makes it an ideal activity for those who are obese. It has helped a lot of people not only lower their weight, but also reduce the severity of weight-related health problems such as respiratory issues, high blood pressure and the likelihood of a stroke.

Getting started is easy. You should begin slowly by swimming for 10 to 15 minutes each day. Gradually, increase the time you spend in the water and the number of laps you complete. Like any exercise, your body needs to get accustomed to the workout. Over time, swimming will improve your muscle strength, tone and overall health.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, September 18th, 2008 at 8:23 pm and is filed under Exercise and Physical Therapy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.