Cardio workouts are an integral part of fitness training. They develop core strength, enhance the whole body’s flexibility, and improve blood circulation and the respiratory system. However, some forms of cardio exercise are better than others and swimming happens to be one of the best cardio workouts. Here are five reasons you should incorporate swimming into your workout routine.
Low Impact
Swimming is a low impact form of exercise. This means that it doesn’t involve trauma to the joints like other forms of exercise such as running. Low impact exercises are kinder to the joints and they help prevent injury.
Regular Breathing Work
Swimming is a great way to train your breath and enhance lung capacity. Because you are under water, swimming forces you to take breaths at regular intervals. This skill can be carried over into other sports for improved performance.
Strengthens the Core
While all cardio will strengthen the core muscles to some degree, swimming is especially good at developing those foundational muscles. You have to use your whole body equally to push yourself through the water.
Increases Flexibility
Because swimming employs the whole body, it improves the flexibility of all kinds of muscles all over your body. Rather than making the same movements all the time, the act of swimming gently loosens the muscles.
Releases Endorphins
While all exercise releases endorphins to some degree, swimming makes you especially happy since it’s been found that being in water increases the amount of endorphins that are released.
