Hi Garretthnatiuk, yep, it’s very good cardio (depending how much you push yourself) and great for your lung function (especially the breathing regulation of a good breast or crawl stroke) which is why a lot of doctors recommend it for asthmatics.

I’ve taught myself to swim ‘properly’ like ChrissieinBrittany and it’s a huge sence of acomplishment. Until recently I only swam 1-2 times a week for 1 hour and just tried to cram as many laps into that hour as possible. That was good exercise but in the last couple of months I’ve joined a gym and swim 5 times a week. It really has made a difference. So I’d agree with the above, regularity is the key to keeping it up and getting a real fitness benefit.

I always found before that if I missed a session or 2, due to illness or a holiday or something, it was REALLY hard to get back into the mindset. You just have to make it an intrinsic part of your life.

When I first started swimming again (after years & years) I was very conscious of being in a cozzy in front of a pool full of strangers but that passes really quickly and you just have to remember that noone’s really looking at you, they’re probably just as self conscious themselves, either about how they look or about what a c**p swimmer they are 😉

Maybe try an aqua aerobics class or 2 to start with (more chance of there being a few larger folk in with you) until you get comfortable and then add in a swimming session as well and build from there. If you’re worried about your strokes then try to go along to a ‘coached session’ or have a one-on-one lesson, to make sure you’re doing it right.

I know that eventually I will have to explore the rest of the gym and start doing the odd class or some resistance exercises, as JUST swimming (as much as I do) could lead to a risk of developing osteoparosis but so far that is pretty much all the exercise I do and it’s keeping me in good shape as I lose the weight with 5:2.

I’d also recommend (once you get into it) setting yourself a challenge, like doing a sponsored swim for a charity. I’ve just completed my 3rd annual sponsored swim (Sport Relief this year). I did 5K last Saturday for them and a friend of mine joined me this year and did 2.5K herself. It’s great fun, raises money for a really good cause and gives you something to strive for.

Enjoy!

I believe it is to reduce stress even if you just walk in the water. I go to the pool to have fun

Hi!
It should do
its good for all the body

Ofcourse swimming is really good for sound health..I believe it refresh your mind and body too.

Really swimming is good for health.It contains lot of health benefits

You would have to swim for 5-6 hours every day for a long period of time to impact on bone density. Swimming is an excellent form of exercise so long as it is not the only exercise undertaken.
Weight bearing exercise such as walking, which is free, and cycling, along with some resistance training are recommended by the NHS for those aged 16-64.
It is suggested that both weight bearing and resistance training are carried out for at least 30 minutes, five times per week, which is 5 hours exercise per week. Not much for a fit body.