Like many workouts swimming has it pros and cons, but is swimming a good exercise?  Actually, it is a very good workout, there are many benefits to swimming that are very healthy for your body.

The great thing about swimming is that anyone can do it…except for those who can’t swim.  But if you can swim, swimming is something you can do for the rest of your life.  I knew a 70-year-old man who would swim across his lake and back everyday, the guy was as healthy as a horse.  But not everyone has the convenience of having a lake as his or her backyard.  I actually do not recommend swimming in a lake when you’re alone, the risk is to high for a cramp, but if you warm up properly you should not have any problems.  I recommend going to a local gym or a public pool to do your swimming exercise, because it’s safer.

So what are some of the benefits that swimming provides for you?  Swimming is great for your ligaments and joints, but unlike running where there is a lot of wear and tear on your joints, swimming has no impact.  Swimming also has incredible health benefits for your heart and lungs.  I like to hike a lot, but nothing has prepared my lungs and heart better for a hike like swimming has.  The endurance that you get from swimming is amazing, thus making swimming an incredible exercise.  Swimming also provides a full body workout.  Your whole body is engaged in every stroke and kick, targeting every major muscle group of your body.  The water provides resistance for your muscles, so you do get a great workout.

Swimming can also provide those who have or have had injuries an alternative to running or some other high impact exercise.  The swimming pool has been used for injury rehab, providing those who are injured to regain strength in their muscles, ligaments, and joints.  There are a lot of athletes who have trained in a pool; they have used the water’s resistance to their advantage, because even a lot of these athletes are injured themselves.

We know that swimming is a good exercise, but is swimming good for weight loss?

This might come as a surprise to you, especially after hearing all the health benefits that swimming provides.  But swimming might not be the greatest weight loss workout; in fact you might actually gain weight, but mostly because of lean muscle mass.  If you are looking into burning fat, you are much more able to do so by doing interval training and having a nutrition plan.  Swimming has had a lot of contradictory weight loss studies, some people gain weight, some people lose weight, and some people experience no change at all.  But swimming is great for those who are pregnant, have back problems, and knee problems.

I would definitely recommend swimming, but I would make swimming a “part” of my workout plan, instead of “being” my workout plan.