Seniors who want to exercise to gain strength and improve their overall health but struggle with an injury, disability, or other health conditions may find swimming to be most beneficial. Several swimming strokes target different muscles in the body. These strokes may require various breathing techniques that can ultimately improve stamina and the body’s respiratory system.

Whether there is a pool in your city, gym, or in your backyard, swimming a few days a week can be a great hobby that boosts mental health and enhances the physical body.

Strengthening the body

Swimming requires movement from the entire body. Your arms help you pull through the water while your legs help push you in the desired direction. Your core muscles are engaged while the arms and legs work together for you to swim from point A to point B. Not only can you gain strength from consistent swimming, but your muscles can be toned as well.

It takes leg strength to dive or jump into a pool and to tread water. The strength you gain from swimming can thus make you stronger for other activities.

Improvement of cardiovascular and respiratory systems

While you swim, you engage your muscles which then affect your cardiovascular system. As your heart rate increases during a swim exercise, it will pump more blood throughout your body. This exercise can strengthen your heart.

Your respiratory system can improve as you hold your breath when you swim. Over time, you can get better at keeping your breath underwater.

Swimming is a safe exercise

For those that may have an injury they are recovering from, disability, or arthritis, swimming can help reduce the stress and pain on the body. The natural resistance of the water can be the perfect amount needed to help the body recover from an injury. It can also be beneficial for those who cannot lift weights due to a disability.

As the body moves through the water, certain joints are lubricated. Joint stiffness and pain can decrease because of the body’s self-lubricating ability during exercise.

Positive exercise for asthma

Asthma makes breathing difficult in certain situations, but especially during exercise. Indoor pools can create an environment that is more beneficial to those with asthma because of the humidity. Not only does the environment make a difference, but your lung capacity can improve the more you hold your breath.

Enhances sleep

Aerobic exercises such as swimming can enhance your sleeping habits and help with insomnia. Regular swimming exercises work the entire body and help keep your mind off other things, thus resulting in a calmer night’s sleep. Whether you do swimming classes and do other exercises in the water or swim around the pool, you may sleep better after being in a pool.

Manages stress

Swimming can provide relaxation as you change from one stroke to another during laps in the pool. You may focus on how your arms should be moving and when you need to come up for air which can erase all worries from your mind. During a swim exercise, you need to focus on where you are in the pool, how deep you are, and when you need to breathe, which leaves no time to think about stressful situations in your life.

Mood booster

Depression is a common medical condition for senior citizens and often stems from an individual having another health condition. Swimming can improve your mood as it is a calming exercise that allows you to focus on specific things and tune out other distractions. If you participate in swim classes, you can meet other people and develop friendships.

As people age, it is essential to maintain positive thoughts and mental health. Weekly swimming exercises can help by boosting your mood and taking away stress.

Conclusion

Whether you want to strengthen your muscles, improve your breathing, manage stress, or better your overall health, swimming may be an exercise you want to try next. Maintaining a healthy body as a senior can help make daily activities and others easier to accomplish.