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Swimming
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Puts Little Stress on Your Body, Works All the
Major Muscles, and Will Tone You Up and Slim You Down!
You can train to swim at a
competitive level or you can enjoy a few healthy lengths at your
local pool. Whatever level you choose, swimming is good for you!
It's never too late to learn or improve your swimming skills and
it's a relaxing form of exercise.
Many public pools now offer
Aqua-aerobics; high impact aerobics without the high impact.
Aqua-aerobics will help to shed those pounds and tone you!
Benefits
A good all round aerobic
exercise, swimming puts little stress on your body and works all the
major muscles. It will tone you up and slim you down. You decide how
much you want to achieve in swimming, set your own pace.
Burn Rate
Depending
on your weight and exertion level you'll burn
between 90-550 extra calories*
in a half-hour session!
30min Swimming:
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Recreational 90-220kcal
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Moderate 150-370kcal
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Vigorous 220-550kcal
*Extra calories
are those you burn on top of the calories you use for basic
day-to-day living. Inputting your exercise into your exercise diary
will calculate the number of calories you will burn, based on your
weight.
Getting Started
Check out your local pool; most
public pools have separate times for different groups - adults only /
men only / women only / mother and toddlers. Try to set aside time at
least once a week when you will go swimming; get a friend to join you, it will
motivate you. Start off by swimming a few lengths of the pool and
build up the distance each week. Change your strokes to add interest and
exert yourself in different ways. Many pools will cordon off lanes of
the pool for people wishing to exercise.
Look out at your local pool for
news of swimming clubs which normally cater for all age groups.
Swimming with a club will motivate you! Classes
can be called swim & trim, swim-nastics or aqua aerobics. If
you don't want to join a class, add your own to your swimming
session. Walking, hopping and stretching will help your fitness
improve.
Kit Bag
Costume/Trunks
- There are hundreds available, you decide which
is comfortable!
Goggles - Improve vision and prevent chlorine
damaging the eyes.
If you're susceptible to ear infections, wear ear
plugs.
Safety
There are obvious dangers if you a a learner or not a strong swimmer -
do not get out of your depth. Have respect for swimming in the sea or
lakes / open water.
Helpful Sites
www.bbc.co.uk
- fitness - swimming
Some helpful notes and ideas to inspire you.
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