Sharks and Minnows

Swimming is so beneficial to your body, everybody should be doing it. It is an excellent form of cardio that packs in strength training as well. Here are the reasons you should add swimming to your workout routine each week!

1. Anyone can do it!

• As long as you can swim, it doesn't matter if you're advanced or a beginner, anyone can do it.

• Now, I'm not talking about just hanging around a pool, I'm talking about swimming laps. But don't get me wrong, mix-it-up and change up your strokes.

• If you have injuries, swimming is perfect because it does not add extra stress to your joints. Low impact!

2. Efficiency

• As a mom I'm all about efficiency and multi-tasking. Swimming is perfect because it doubles as cardio AND strength training!

• If you're only getting in strength training one or two times per week, add a swimming session to your routine and watch your body change!

3. New Muscles

• Swimming helps you reach muscles that don't get worked very often.

• It can target those very small muscle groups that you would have had to otherwise isolate in the gym.

• Don't be surprised if you find yourself sore after your first swimming session. Chances are that you just woke up some muscles that have been dormant for awhile!

4. Fight the Wrinkles

• Studies have found that swimming can make you look younger! Fountain of Youth??? Just saying....

• Swimming benefits your cardiovascular system, blood pressure, cholesterol, muscle mass, and central nervous system, just to name a few!

• People who swim regularly, it is said that their internal structure looks more similar to their younger selves than those who have not adopted swimming into their weekly routine.

5. De-stress

• Swimming is a huge stress reliever.

• It can be relaxing, meditative, but work you out at the same time.

• People who swim on a regular basis can have less stress in their lives.

Time to hit up the pool! If you don't have access to a pool, check out the public pools in your neighborhood. Most public pools have a time for people to swim laps for as little as $2.