Benefits of Swimming for Older Adults

There are an increasing number of people that are starting to want to improve there health and baby boomers are no exception. Swimming appears to be one of the most popular forms of exercise among the baby boomers. Swimming provides a full body workout without the danger of overdoing it because it is one of the least stressful forms of exercise that you can do.

Most people do not realize all of the benefits that can be obtained from swimming. Swimming and water exercise is the second best form of exercise that has the lowest rate for injuries. Walking is still the leader in that aspect for low injury rates. There is a great deal of doctors that will recommend that you do water exercises so that you can strengthen your muscles without harming your recovery. Swimming is great physical therapy for people of all ages no matter what their current physical condition is.

Baby boomers are on the look out for a form of workout that will exert minimal strain on their muscles and ligaments. Water exercises are effective as resistance training so work very well for strength training and aerobics too. You don't have to necessarily be physically fit to swim, but if you continue swimming, it will definitely make you fit. This is why water fitness is so popular with baby boomers. They can be at any fitness level and still swim building their major muscle groups, boost endurance and keep their joints supple and flexible.

Did you know that swimming has all the benefits that running has? With the added advantage that you don't strain yourself as much while swimming as you might while running. In fact, you tend to over-exert your connective tissues while running or doing weights to stay fit. When you are in water, you weigh only ten percent of your actual weight and your movements are enhanced up to twelve times as much as in air! That is the reason you don't feel tired so soon in water and are capable of longer periods of exercise. This is a boon for baby boomers who swim to become fit and stay fit.

You will want to look into swimming for your recreational activities if you are from the baby boomer era. Not only will swimming help to fill your need for exercise but it is safe as well. This low impact form of exercise can help to increase the amount of range of motion that you have as well. You will want to talk to your doctor to make sure that you are doing the right thing as with any new exercise program that you begin. To ensure you are not over doing it your doctor will be able to suggest some water exercises to suit your actual fitness level. Check to find out if there are swimming classes or water fitness classes that you can join at the local recreational facilities. There are occasions where you will find a class that matches both your age and your fitness level.

Swimming as exercise for baby boomers is a popular pastime as more and more baby boomers near and enter the retirement phase of their lives.

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By Juliette Crane

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