Is swimming a good workout?

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When was the last time you went swimming? If you can’t remember, you’re not alone. While it’s a popular sport, many people still ask if swimming is a good workout. And, if it is, what is it good for?  

So, we’ll let you in on a not-so well-kept secret: swimming is good for fitness. In fact, it’s just as good - if not better - than many other sports. That’s because it’s a full body exercise that gets to work on all parts of your body, inside and out. Here’s how to lap up the benefits. 

Is swimming a good workout? 

Our answer: yes.  

Swimming is a good workout for nearly everyone, no matter your training goal. It’s an exercise that uses resistance to build strength and develops your cardiovascular system. But being in water also means that you’re supported so it’s kinder to your joints than high-impact exercises, like running.  

What is swimming good for?  

Building strength 

Swimming is classed as a resistance workout because you’re working through and against water. For that reason, it helps you build muscle strength because water is more dense than air, which means you have to work harder to move your body.  

When you swim, you’ll feel a lot of muscles in your upper body working to pull you through the water, as well as your core and your legs.  

Improving heart health  

If you’re looking to improve your cardiovascular system, swimming is a brilliant way to do it. It strengthens your heart by making it work harder to pump blood around your body. This strengthens your arteries, keeping them free of blockages and reducing stiffness which prevents heart disease.    

Improving sleep 

As an aerobic exercise, swimming has all of the same benefits of any type of cardio workout. Including helping you to sleep.  

When you work out, your body heats up which signals that it’s time for your body to be alert. And when your body cools down, the opposite happens. About 30 - 90 minutes after your workout, you might start to feel a little sleepy because of it.  

In the long run, swimming can also help you sleep easier by reducing stress and anxiety.  

Injury prevention and recovery  

Swimming is great for you if you’re recovering from an injury or prefer low-impact exercise to protect your joints. That’s because you’re supported in the water.  

Boosting brain function and mental health 

Swimming is also a workout for the mind as well as your body. You’ll find that being in water boosts your brain function by increasing the blood flow in your brain. When that happens, you’ll find your mind responds faster, your memory improves and you’ll have better overall cognitive function.  

But there’s more. You’ll also get a nice boost of endorphins after your dip, helping you to feel happier and more resilient.  

How does swimming compare to other cardio workouts? 

A lot of the benefits of swimming are also benefits of other cardio workouts. But there are a few reasons why swimming trumps other cardio like running.  

For example, it works more muscle groups at the same time. You won’t use your upper body as much when you run as you will when you swim. And it’s also kinder to your joints, particularly your knees. 

How to get started with swimming 

If you’ve never swum before, a good place to start is with our adult swimming lessons. They’ll give you the confidence and skills you need to swim on your own.  

If you don’t fancy learning to swim, you can still take a dip and try walking in the pool. It might not sound all that powerful but working against the resistance will raise your heart rate, help you to build strength and leave you feeling good.  

So, why not dive into swimming? 

Ready for your next workout? Check out all the group exercise classes available at Virgin Active.

Not yet a member? Find your nearest club and start your membership today.

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