Most of us have seen the Olympics and admired professional swimmers’ physiques at some point in our lives. Broad shoulders, big back, and narrow hips usually look very appealing, so it does make a lot of sense to consider swimming a good way to achieve the physique you’re looking for. But, can you use swimming as a workout? Does it even compare to a gym workout?
In this article, we’ll be going over some of the most important benefits of swimming.
1. It’s Healthy
Just like walking or running, swimming can do wonders for your overall health. It decreases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, as well as all-cause mortality risk. It also benefits your muscle and joint health, and is often used as a part of the treatment for people with osteoarthritis.
2. It Increases Appetite
When trying to put on muscle, it can sometimes be hard to take enough calories and eat enough throughout the day. That’s where swimming comes in handy – it can increase your appetite and make it easier for you to take in some heavy meals filled with lean meats and whole grains.
3. It Activates Your Whole Body
Swimming engages your core, arms, legs, glutes, and back. Even the most complicated movements in the gym fail to activate all of these muscle groups. So if you’re looking for an efficient way to work on your body, you should definitely consider swimming as a workout.
4. It Helps You Burn Calories
According to the American College of Sports Medicine, swimming is one of the best activities for burning calories. So, if you’re looking for a perfect cardio exercise that is also fun and promotes heart health – look no further than swimming.
Final Word
If you were wondering should you take up swimming as a workout, we hope this article answers that question. The benefits of swimming are many and they stretch well beyond building muscle and improving your physique – it also greatly improves your health.
