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If you decide to take up swimming regularly as a form of exercise, as with any exercise regime, first contact your doctor, especially if you have back, joint, heart or inner ear problems. Next get yourself a swimsuit that fits and is comfortable and make sure you always wear sunscreen especially on face and shoulders. The important thing to remember when swimming is not to overdo it. If you feel tired then stop. You should be relaxed, not depleted of energy. Be aware of the depth of the water and any potential hazards before you get in…this includes swimming in a pool. Know where the pool ladder and steps are. If you decide to swim in the sea be aware of rocks, pollution, currents and any sudden changes in water temperature and never swim alone regardless of how good you think you are. Chlorine and sea water can also irritate and dry out the skin, especially if you are in it every day so try and shower immediately afterwards and apply plenty of moisturising lotion. Also if you have light coloured hair a good tip to keep the colour from tinting green is to rub baby lotion or oil on your hair before you get in. Once
you get into the water you need to find which swimming stroke best
suits you. This is the method of moving your arms and legs to push
against the water and propel you forward creating the least possible
water resistance. There should be a minimum of splashing so that
forward motion is smooth and not jerky. Here are a few of the more
common swimming strokes:
Try
to swim a little bit every day, but do at least an hour about three
times a week. You will find that you improve faster and easier when
you swim more frequently as opposed to only doing a few longer workouts
a week. Develop an exercise plan that involves drills to help you tune up and challenges yourself by increasing the intensity of your routine once or twice a week. But make sure you don't overexert yourself, if you feel fatigued, take a rest, the most benefit from swimming is the added circulation of oxygen around your body. Remember
to have fun and as you swim think about a straight line from head
to hips to legs as well as keeping your breathing regular and easy.
The timing of your breathing effects your alignment and also to
some extent the path of your arms. Drink plenty of fluids before and after even a quick workout. It's very easy to become dehydrated even during water workouts. There are also proven psychological benefits to swimming if you allow them to occur. Relax and swim with a very low effort and let your mind wander, focusing on nothing but the rhythm of your stroke. This is an excellent form of meditation but I would suggest only doing this in a swimming pool for safety reasons.
Swimming
for fitness is rapidly gaining in popularity because it is ideal
for almost everyone old and young. It even benefits those who have
just had serious surgery or expecting mums reducing high blood pressure
in some people, increasing flexibility, strengthening and toning
the muscles used during childbirth and improving circulation.
To
find out all about hangover cures click here If
you want to try the Yoga Sun Salutation excersise click here
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Luckily
Tenerife has an excellent source of exercise right outside most
people's front doors. Swimming is a great activity. It tones up
your entire body while providing a cardiovascular workout, strengthening
your heart muscle and improving the delivery of oxygen to your body
making you feel wonderfully energised all through the day. It is
probably the most nearly perfect form of exercise because it is
non-weight bearing and imposes no stress on the bones and joints
which is especially useful for people who are overweight, pregnant
or with leg or lower back problems. It develops muscle strength
and endurance and improves posture and flexibility. Also, one hour
of swimming burns about as many calories as running six miles in
one hour.
Butterfly:
This is the most difficult and exhausting stroke and involves a
windmill-like movement of both arms in unison while keeping your
legs together and doing the dolphin kick (similar to the tail of
a dolphin)
Breast
Stroke: This is excellent for warming up and cooling down at
the beginning and end of your swimming exercise as you can be as
fast or as slow as is comfortable for you. It involves swimming
a bit like a frog. Scooping your legs out in circles with a simultaneous
movement of the arms from a point in front of the head to shoulder
level.
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