Swimming continues to be one of the most popular forms of exercise in our country – Sport England has shared that their latest figures show that 4.7million people swim twice or more a month! It’s easy to see why this sport is popular among all ages and abilities.

Read on below for five reasons why you should book a swim. Remember if you’re new to us, you can register for a FREE swim pass here to give it a go for yourself!

It’s a full-body workout

According to Swim England, 30 minutes of exercising in the water is worth 45 minutes of the same activity on land. It uses the majority of muscles in your body, plus you can add focus to some muscle groups by switching up your strokes! Swimming is also one of the best forms of cardiovascular exercise, leading to improved heart health and weight loss. Did you know that a gentle swim for half-hour can burn around 200 calories?

It’s also great for your mind

Swimming regularly can help to lower stress levels, ease the symptoms of anxiety and depression and also help to improve your sleep pattern. Some even find the social side relaxing, as you’re meeting like-minded people without the distraction of your phone and the outside world – keep your phone safe in a locker and away from your ‘me-time’.

Have fun and feel better

There are various options to find your perfect pool fit, whether it be a peaceful swim on your own, attending with a friend to support each other, or even having a splash in the pool with all the family. If a water-based class with music sounds more your thing, an Aqua class would be one to try – it’s great for having a boogie whilst feeling weightless in the water!

It’s pretty versatile

Due to being a low-impact exercise and less stressful on the joints, swimming is a great option for any age and ability. Water can support around 90% of your body weight, making it ideal for those recovering from injury or those with a disability.

Depending on your fitness level, swimming can also be easily adapted to suit your needs. Most lane swimming sessions will be split into different speeds, so you can start off at a slower pace and build it up once you get more confident.

It’s never too late to learn or improve your technique

Without a doubt, swimming is a vital life-saving skill. It’s a great option for those just starting out as it’s easy to pick up and doesn’t require much knowledge or previous experience, plus it’s one of few sports that you can start to learn at any age! Find out more about adult and child swimming lessons with our Swim Academy here.

Even if you’re a regular swimmer, improving your technique and strokes can enhance your workout performance and make it more effective – thus leading to quicker results! It just takes that initial step to get back into the pool, practice makes perfect!