Whether you have access to an indoor pool at your local YMCA, or an outdoor pool you can use in the warmer months, swimming safely is an excellent source of exercise that can keep you and your family healthy all year round.
What are the health benefits of swimming as a mode of exercise?
- According to experts at Bucknell University, swimming is one of the best ways to stay active and has the added benefits of buoyancy and resistance, making exercises that are particularly difficult to do on land easier to perform.
- Swimming helps to exercise your heart and can steadily improve blood circulation.
Other benefits of sustained swimming activities can include: an increase in endurance and flexibility, stress reduction and the ability to maintain a healthy weight.
Swimming is a great way for the whole family to exercise together.
There are various activities that people of all age groups can do in the water, such as laps, aerobics, walking, and even yoga, but be sure to check with a doctor first. If you or a family member does not know how to swim, swimming lessons are great to take as a family. Best of all, swimming is fun! Look no further than Olympic gold medalist, Katie Ledecky, and these children, to see how much fun it is to Pool Safely.
Just as Katie and these children know, before you begin exercising in the water, the most important thing to consider is safety. Be sure to review our Simple Safety Steps for tips on how to remain safer in and around the water:
- Never leave a child unattended in or near water;
- Teach children how to swim;
- Teach children to stay away from drains; and
- Know how to perform CPR on children and adults.
Olympic gold medalist Kate Ledecky and children from Katie’s alma mater pledge to Pool Safely.
Children and adults interested in swimming as a form of exercise should take the Pool Safely Pledge, which has been taken more than 50,000 times and emphasizes key life-saving water safety tips. The Pledge is an important step that you can take as a family and a great way to reinforce your commitment to safer swimming and drowning prevention.