Health Benefits of Swimming
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Swimming to Better Health
With the summer heat here to stay, you may find yourself hitting the pool or lake to help you cool down. Along with being a fun summer activity, swimming can also help support various areas of your health! Here’s what you should know.
Supports Your Cardiovascular Health
As a form of aerobic activity, swimming is excellent when it comes to supporting the health of your heart. Going for a dip can prove the following health benefits:
- Makes your heart larger, making it more efficient
- Reduces risk of coronary heart disease by 30-40%
- Lowers blood pressure
- Raises HDL (good cholesterol) levels
- Keeps cells lining your arteries flexible
Engages Almost Every Major Muscle Group
Going for a swim is also an excellent way to work out your entire body from head to toe! When actively swimming, you are able to engage and strengthen the following muscle groups:
- Core muscles
- Upper and lower back muscles
- Shoulders and deltoids
- Pectoral muscles
- Calves
- Biceps
- Forearm muscles
- Triceps
- Glutes
- Hamstrings
- Quads
- Hip flexor muscles
To make sure you’re getting the most out of your swim workout, try some of these strokes:
- Backstroke
- Breaststroke
- Butterfly
- Sidestroke
Gentle on Your Joints
Swimming is also an excellent low-impact exercise that helps to build up muscle strength without added stress being placed on your joints. This is because the buoyancy of the water allows your body to move freely and with fluidity, supporting your body weight for you.
Along with strengthening your muscles, swimming also helps to improve your range of motion and supports flexibility.
CCH is open, safe and ready to see you.
With almost 80 physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners in nearly 20 specialties, CCH is committed to your wellbeing right here at home. If you have been putting off a visit to your doctor for a regular checkup, contact them; they can help weigh your personal healthcare risk and avoid further delayed diagnoses.
Visit www.cchwyo.org/findadoc to find your provider or clinic
