Go Swimming

Benefits of Swimming?

Well, I could tell you all about how good swimming is for you, how it tones up your whole body, makes you look and feel fantastic but, above all, the most important reason to swim is because it can save your life!

Swimming also opens up a new world and gives you the confidence to do a whole host of activities; surfing, sailing, water skiing, scuba diving to name just a few and that also means a lot of fun times. I couldnt imagine going on holiday and not having fun with my friends in the sea or hotel pool. Swimming is a life skill and goes beyond fitness.

So now youve decided you have to swim, there are few exercises that use so many muscles in both your upper and lower body and can burn up as many calories per minute. It is THE ultimate all over body workout and if done in sufficient quantities, it will tone your whole body. It also has the advantage of virtually no impact on the joints, making it a lot less likely to cause injury. Swimming has the cardiovascular benefits of running, but with some of the strength-building effects of weight training and some of the suppleness-promoting effects of dance classes.

Its a fantastic choice for people who want to exercise, but who might have problems with weight-bearing, land-based activities. Swimming is great for those who have arthritis or back problems, weight problems or are pregnant. An added bonus for those with lung conditions, such as asthma, is that the air round a swimming pool is usually very humid, which makes breathing more comfortable.

Swimming is an activity that people of all ages and all levels of fitness can take up and is accessible to virtually everyone. From the unfit person taking his or her first few strokes in the shallows to the competitive swimmer training for a race, swimming is a physical activity that anyone can perform at their own level.

Of course many people like to just splash around in the pool and enjoy themselves. The popularity of leisure pools with wave machines, waterfalls and slides pays tribute to the appeal of swimming as a playful activity. That is fine and provides a low level of physical activity. But those who want to gain the maximum health benefit from their time at the pool should decide on a more energetic programme.

UK Swimming Clubs & Swimming Pools?

Finding a pool is easy, there are loads of websites that will tell you where your nearest pool is (www.swimmersguide.com - has an excellent data base), and, unsurprisingly, youll probably find your nearest swimming club there too! There are over 1500 swimming clubs in the U.K. and many have a varied structure to cope with different levels of swimmer. From adult and children learn to swim programmes to Masters and elite competitive levels; there is one to suit everybody. Getting involved is usually as easy as turning up on a club night and asking if you can join in! Most swimming clubs have notice boards up in the pools they train in or the pool reception should be able to tell you who to speak to. The Amateur Swimming Association can also help guide you in the right direction and their contact details can be found at www.britishswimming.org.

Want to Join a Swimming Club?

Finding a club is probably the best way to take your swimming forward and get the most enjoyment out of the sport. Whether you want to be able to swim 10 lengths or win an Olympic Gold medal, being part of a swimming club is the best way to go about achieving your goals. Theyre a lot easier to achieve when you have a team of people around supporting you. The teaching and coaching you will get as part of a swimming club is of course a great benefit but, as swimming is a skill, watching other swimmers is also a brilliant way to learn.

Depending on how much you want to put into the sport, a swimming club certainly can become an extension of your own family. There is a social world round a swimming pool that makes it different to other sports. Its so much more fun to achieve your goals when you have people around you to share it with. If you want to take it further, there are competitions all year round for all levels of swimmer; from the club championships where there are swimmers as young as7 and 8 to the Masters competitions that have records in the 90-94 age group! (www.britishswimming.org again has all the information)

Swimming - the All Season Sport

Swimming is a sport that you can do all year round especially as the majority of pools in the U.K. are heated and indoors. It doesnt matter if its rain, sleet or snow outside - you can still swim. The biggest hurdle for most is feeling self conscious in a swimsuit. Its catch 22 as swimming is THE sport to tone your whole body and make it look fantastic but its getting into the pool to start with! There have been some amazing developments in the world of swimsuits over the last 10 years. There are now suits that are designed to sculpt your body, hold everything in the right place and look cool. There is a lot more to it than the tiny briefs and costumes of old, check out Snow+Rocks Speedo collection.

WHO?

James Hickman has been swimming for as long as he can remember. He has competed at three Olympics, won five world championships and broken two world records, just rewards for four-five hours of swimming a day! Despite retiring from international competition, James still swims to keep in shape and can often be found splashing about at his local pool.