Summer is time to get outside and ride a bike, play ball, go on a hike, but what do you do on those extremely hot days? If you enjoy the outdoors for your regular fitness activities as I do, those hot summer days can put a damper on your quest for fun and good health. Doing too much out in the hot sun is also very dangerous. Extreme heat can cause dehydration, bring on a heat stroke or even become fatal. Going for a swim is a great alternative.
Swimming has many benefits that contribute to your overall good health. The heart and lungs can benefit from a bout of swimming and it can be a good cardio workout. It can serve as a cross-training element to your regular workouts. If you are a runner in training, swimming is a good activity that gets your heart rate up and takes some of the impact stress off your body.You can also nurse a knee or ankle injury back to health as you enjoy water fun and activity without putting undo strain on the injury.
Regular swimming builds endurance, muscle strength and cardio-vascular fitness. Before a land workout, you can use the pool
for a warm-up session. Swimming with increasing effort to gradually elevate your heart rate
and stimulate your muscle activity is easily accomplished in the water. After a land workout, swimming a few laps can help you cool down, move blood through your muscles to help them recover, and help you relax.
for a warm-up session. Swimming with increasing effort to gradually elevate your heart rate and stimulate your muscle activity is easily accomplished in the water. After a land workout, swimming a few laps can help you cool down, move blood through your muscles to help them recover, and help you relax.
Shower immediately after swimming. Otherwise the chlorine from the pool water will dry out your skin and cause it to crack, which will make you more susceptible to infection. After a day in the pool, a nice shower or warm bath will make you feel super clean and refreshed and prepare you for a comfortable night sleep.
