Finding the Right Balance: How Much Swimming Is Healthy?

Swimming is one of the most fun activities for both children and adults. However, this is a hobby that could also turn into a healthy exercise. Before adding it to your weekly schedule, read on as the experts from San Diego Pools, the pool company families and businesses have trusted for more than four decades, explain the health advantages of swimming and how many hours you need to spend in the water to benefit from the activity.

Fitness Levels

Although swimming for at least three hours per week—often in 30-minute sessions spread out over several days—is best, it could be stressful on some bodies. A person’s fitness levels and abilities generally determine how many hours of swimming in a pool are healthy for that individual.

If you’re not used to vigorous routines, you should avoid them because these are typically for swimmers who compete. Regardless of your age and fitness level, you should be able to take advantage of the many health benefits associated with swimming.

Two-Day Workouts

If working out three to four days per week is outside your time frame, you can limit your routine to two days per week and still receive health benefits. The key is time management. For example, working out in the pool or merely swimming for at least 30 minutes each day is best. Keep in mind you can spread these workouts throughout the day. For example, you could swim twice each day for 15 minutes, once in the morning and again in the evening. Regardless of how you space the sessions, swimming for at least an hour over those two days can provide various health benefits.

What to Avoid

In addition to the hours you spend swimming, the distance and types of movements you make in the pool are important factors. Some people can swim for more than a mile during each session and complete multiple sessions weekly. However, others may be limited to half a mile for the entire week. To avoid health setbacks, start with a shorter distance and increase it over time. It’s also best to warm up before each swimming session and cool down once the routine is complete. Only incorporate more advanced drills and strokes in the pool as you increase your capabilities.

You should always wear appropriate swimming gear and only get into the pool with the intent to follow safety precautions. Most importantly, take breaks when your body needs to, as overworking yourself could lead to serious health problems and negatively affect your exercise routines, both in the water and on land.

Top Health Benefits

There are many health advantages you can receive when swimming. You can lose weight, boost your cardiovascular health, and relieve stress. The water helps the muscles, brain, and other parts of the body relax, ease tension, and unwind. Swimming is also beneficial for those who are recovering from accidents or injuries, as the activity rehabilitates joint strains and muscle pulls.

For people who are looking for the perfect way to boost their physical and mental fitness levels, swimming can be the ideal choice. As the SoCal region’s premier pool builder, San Diego Pools can create a custom pool for you that offers a great way to exercise as well as a place to relax, de-stress, and get away from it all. Give us a call today at 888-707-7781.