Swimming is an excellent exercise for seniors, but many people don’t think of it as an option because they assume that swimming requires the same strength and endurance as running or biking.
It provides all of the benefits of a low-impact workout, and it is gentle on joints.
Swimming also provides resistance training, which helps build muscles and improves balance – two difficult things while running or biking outdoors.
You can swim in almost any body of water – from open public pools, lakes to oceans.
This means you have plenty of opportunities to get outside and enjoy nature while getting a good workout!
Plus, swimming has all kinds of health benefits, including:
- improved cardiovascular fitness (which lowers blood pressure)
- stronger muscles,
- better balance,
- weight loss.
- the list goes on!
If you have been avoiding swimming as a form of exercise due to fear or inconvenience, try taking it up again with this helpful article about why swimming is the perfect exercise for seniors.
Are you ready to start swimming as an exercise?
Swimming is a low-impact exercise for seniors, making it ideal for them with joint pain
Running and walking are excellent exercises too, but they can be hard on the joints.
Swimming is a gentle exercise that doesn’t put much pressure on your knees or hips, which is why it’s a good option for anyone with joint problems.
It’s no wonder why swimming is recommended for people with arthritis. The water provides support, and the exercise doesn’t put pressure on sore joints.
Unless you have arthritis in your shoulder, then the impact is too high!
It is worth noting that researchers have shown swimming can improve metabolism by up to 10% and aids in reducing joint pain.
The water also makes it easier on joints when doing repetitive movements like walking or running – this is great for those who have arthritis or other conditions involving chronic inflammation of the joints.
A study by Canadian researchers found that patients who did therapeutic exercises in warm water experienced less pain and were better able to carry out their daily activities than those who did exercises on land.
There is a reason why swimming is recommended for physical therapy and rehabilitation!
Swimming is a great low-impact exercise that won’t aggravate your joint pains. Give it a try!
Swimming helps build muscle tone and maintain healthy bones
In the water, swimming is a lot like dancing. It keeps you fit and uses almost every muscle in your body all at once!
A full-body workout? Yes, that’s right! Swimming is excellent for toning the muscles in both your upper and lower body.
Swimming is the single best way to get a total body workout for seniors like no other!
You can work your back muscles in one session by doing freestyle laps and strengthening your biceps with butterfly strokes.
Plus, adding some weights (or even just holding on for an extra minute) will give muscle definition that would take months of trips to the gym to achieve!
It’s not only the physical benefits of swimming that make it such a great choice; there is evidence suggesting that swimming does wonders for mental health.
It can help to relieve stress and anxiety that are linked to improving moods due to increased serotonin levels.
Swimming is even said to be able to reduce the symptoms of depression!
So, if you are looking for a low-impact exercise that will help improve your mental health just as much as it helps with physical fitness, swimming is the perfect exercise for seniors.
Swimming can improve your balance, coordination, strength, endurance, and flexibility
As you swim, the water provides all-around resistance against your muscles.
This muscle engagement is challenging and helps to build and maintain strength in an efficient manner while improving endurance.
I don’t know about you, but that sounds like an excellent way for me to stay fit!
Your hand-eye coordination, balance, and body awareness are also improved.
When you swim without interruption for an hour or more, your heart rate remains constant at a healthy level.
On the other hand, swimming can improve your memory and cognitive function as you age.
It is an exercise in which both sides of your brain are working together to coordinate movement.
Studies show that seniors who swim regularly have more activity in their hippocampus than those who don’t!
What are you waiting for?
Get in the pool and start swimming!
Wearing a bathing suit at the beach or waterfall is one of my favorite things to do.
Swimming in saltwater or freshwater for hours on end builds strong quad muscles and flexible hamstrings while also providing an escape from everyday life that lifts your spirits as nothing else can.
Swimming reduces the risk of injury from falls or other accidents
It’s impressive how the buoyancy of the water makes it one of the safest forms of exercise out there.
The buoyancy of the water also reduces impact stress while swimming.
It does not leave you with any injuries that can set back your fitness progress.
Instead of jogging or running, try swimming.
It has the same benefits as cardiovascular exercise, but it is safer since you are not vulnerable to falling.
1 in 7 Malaysian seniors experienced a fall in 2018, which caused 56% of them to be hospitalized or treated at an outpatient facility.
44% of seniors fall while they are doing outdoor activities.
This fact is not intended to make you scared but to make you aware of the risk to take precautions.
It is also a good idea to wear comfortable and durable shoes when outdoors or on slippery surfaces to keep yourself safe from these injuries.
It's easy to do swimming laps in any pool for exercise
Getting exercise is essential, but many seniors do not enjoy the gym.
Swimming laps frees you from all of that.
You do not have to worry about running out of space like with treadmills or elliptical machines.
You are in the water and surrounded by friends at swim practice or leisure – not sitting on a boring machine in front of a TV screen.
You can swim in a pool near your house or at a local community center – no need to travel far to get there.
Swimming is also great because it is fun!
Make your exercise routine safe and enjoyable with swimming.
Conclusion
Swimming is a low-impact, powerful workout that can help improve your balance and coordination.
It also helps build muscle tone to maintain healthy bones.
If you are looking for an activity that offers exercise with less risk of injury from falls or other accidents, swimming might be the perfect sport for you!
There are many benefits to getting in the pool, river, or beach – and it is easy to do laps no matter what size of pool you have access to.
Want someone there swimming with you? Let us know. Our team is ready and waiting to partner with seniors like yourself who want companionship while they swim their way into better health!
