A lot of people mistakenly believe that the only way to get a good workout whether to lose weight, increase strength or just become fitter, is to hit the gym. But while that has its own place, the activity you choose needs to be one you enjoy so you keep going back, so why not try out swimming? It is a great workout, all you need is a costume and a pair of adult swimming goggles so it is cheap to manage too. Swimming is actually one of the best activities you can do for a whole body workout, you use a lot of different muscles. It gives you a cardiovascular workout while also toning and strengthening too. It is also a lot of fun, you can stick to indoor pools or explore outdoor swimming opportunities, do some laps indoors, head to different pool workouts and more!
Options for swimming to workout
If you have a pool then that is your obvious starting point if it is big enough to swim in! Or you could check out a local pool and vist three or so time a week. If you are concerned about how busy local public pools get ask them when their quiet times are and visit then. Avoid weekends when children head to mess around. Often before work is a good time or late in the evenings during the week day. If you want to completely avoid a lot of people another option is to join a gym that has its own pool. You pay more for membership but you get better looked after changing rooms and showers, more times suited to lap swimming and they likely offer options for different water exercise classes. Grab the best swimming goggles for adults and head to adult lap swimming sessions, water aerobics, water walking, Aqua Zumba, Aqua Yoga and more!
Not a lot of equipment needed
The great thing about swimming or water exercise classes is that all you need is a swimming costume, there are no expensive shoes, outfits, gear and such. You might want a swimming cap if you want to keep your hair protected and dry. You might want adult swimming goggles to keep the water out of your eyes. Some also like to wear a nose clip so that there is less chance of water going up their nose. Apart from those things there is not much keeping you from working out in the water and those things do not need to cost you a lot of money.
You can even use interval training as part of your swim workout
An often used phrase in workouts and training and exercise plans lately is interval training. It is a way to build up the intensity of your workout so you get more from it, without having to spend longer doing the workout. You do not have to give up interval training when swimming. Put on your swimming goggles for adults and;
- Swim for 4 to 10 minuts at a slow and then moderate pace to warm up your body in the water.
- Do repeated swims lasting from 45 seconds up to 240 seconds.
- Swim at a planned intensity for as long as you can and then when you cannot maintain that pace stop your swim set.
- Vary the ratios you have of swim to rests. On one visit to the pool you swim for 45 seconds and then rest for the same. Another visit you will swim for 45 and rest for twice that.
- If you want to improve your endurance then the rest time between swimming should be kept to 30 seconds or less.