3 minute read
A Final Thought
Why swimming should be on your agenda
by KERRY BARRETT, Orpington Ojays
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When lockdown hit back in March 2020 and everything closed, it was a real shock for us all to be deprived of the things we enjoyed doing, places we liked to visit and people we caught up with regularly.
And as things opened up again, I found it interesting to take stock of the things (and people!) I’d missed and those I hadn’t. As an avid theatre goer, I missed the buzz of a live performance, for example. But cinema? Not so much. One thing that was sorely missed though, was swimming. With pools closed, there was no chance of taking a dip. My son swims for Orpington Ojays Swimming Club – based at The Walnuts Leisure Centre. Used to swimming every day, and having their schedules organised around training and competitions, he and his friends missed the water like mad when the pool was closed. Some of the hardier souls took to open-water swimming to get their exercise, while others turned to running, cycling or PE with Joe Wicks. And now things are gradually getting back to normal, swimmers, whether they swim competitively like the club members, for fitness, or just for fun, are really appreciating being back in the pool – and the huge benefits that swimming brings.
Here’s a rundown of just a few of the positives that getting into the water can provide. 1 It’s a total body workout
Swimming uses all your muscles from head to toe. So forget leg day or chest day – it’s a full body day every day in the pool. And because moving in water is harder than being on land, 30 minutes of work in the pool is roughly equivalent to a 45-minute workout on land.
2 It’s low impact
Swimming is a great workout, but because you’re supported by the water while you’re doing it, it’s easier on the joints, muscles and bones than other forms of cardio. That means it works your heart without stressing your body. And if you’ve picked up an injury elsewhere, getting in the pool is a great way to stay active while you recover.
3 It’s a great calorie burner
If losing pounds is your aim then a plunge in the pool is a winner. A gentle swim can burn almost double the calories of a walk in the same time, and if you up your pace, then you could end up burning more calories than you would if you went running or cycling.
4 It helps you sleep
It’s true – swimming is known to help you drift off. Well, we have to be honest, this one isn’t exclusive to swimming, but doing regular cardio activity will improve the quality of your sleep and help you sleep longer.
5 It’s good for your head
Swimming is like meditation. It’s a proven way to reduce stress and increase mental wellbeing and it can even lower the risk of anxiety and depression. And the good news is you don’t have to get your Adam Peaty on and plough up and down the lanes to feel the positive effects on your mood. Just a gentle swim of 30 minutes is enough to make you smile.
6 It reduces your risk of disease
Swimming for half an hour, three times a week, reduces your risk of heart disease, strokes and type-2 diabetes. Now that can’t be bad!
7 It helps protect the NHS
A 2019 report into the value of swimming compiled by SwimEngland found that water-based activity saves the NHS more than £350m each year. That’s thanks to the massive physical and mental health benefits it provides.
8 It’s fun!
There are so many ways to enjoy being in the water that it really can be fun for everyone. If you don’t enjoy swimming up and down, why not try aqua-aerobics? Or if you fancy joining a team, try water polo or synchronised swimming. Perhaps give diving a go, whether from the top board, Tom Daley style, or plunging into the depths with SCUBA diving. If you don’t want to go to a pool, then why not investigate outdoor swimming in a pond like the ones at Beckenham Place Park or Hampstead Heath? There really is something for everyone.
