How Long Should I Swim for a Healthy Workout?

Going swimming is one of the most effective and versatile workouts you can enjoy. On top of using the natural buoyancy of water to reduce joint pain, you can also enjoy using the water’s resistance to add an extra level of muscle training to your exercise plans. The right amount of time to swim for a good workout varies depending on your current fitness level, and you can use these strategies to make sure you get enough time in to hit your goals.

Aim to Swim for 20 or 30 Minutes at First

Similar to walking or running, you’ll want to start slowly and build up swimming time as you gain strength and endurance. For the average person, swimming for 20 to 30 minutes several days a week is enough to help you maintain your fitness levels. If they’ve been inactive up until their new swimming pool installation, San Diego homeowners might want to break the time up into 15-minute sessions. Alternatively, avid swimmers can increase this time.

Consider Counting Laps

Swimming laps is an effective method for assessing the intensity of your workout. Generally, doing 20 to 30 laps in the average home-sized swimming pool within a half hour means you’re getting a fairly good workout. However, more advanced swimmers might want to strive for a higher lap count. Doubling your lap count to 60 per half hour pushes your body’s stamina level.

Try to Maintain a Consistent Schedule

Even the hardest workout won’t do much good if that’s all you do for a week. Meanwhile, doing shorter swims most days of the week helps you enjoy more benefits, such as burning more calories over time. Having a pool in your backyard can help you stay motivated for swimming on days when going to the gym feels overwhelming. You might also set a specific time for your swims and use a calendar to track your progress. Watching as you begin to swim for longer amounts of time or do more laps may encourage you to make bigger gains.

Balance Swimming with Land-Based Workouts

When you create your swimming schedule, remember to add some time to do some stretches by the pool first to warm up. You might also want to do some strength training before you start swimming your laps. Hopping into the pool is also a great way to cool off after a cardio dance workout outside.

Stay Motivated by Changing Things Up

Most people love using swimming as their new favorite workout. But you might find you need to change your usual routine up from time to time to avoid growing bored. Inviting a friend to swim laps with you adds a social component to your workout along with accountability. You can also do water aerobics or play a game of aquatic volleyball to squeeze in some fun workouts when you have extra time in your schedule.

If you’re looking for the perfect way to boost your physical fitness levels, a pool can be exactly what you need. As an award-winning swimming pool builder families and businesses have trusted for more than four decades, San Diego Pools can create a custom pool for you that offers a great way to exercise as well as a place to relax and get away from it all. Give us a call today.