Use Swimming As An Exercise

Using swimming as an exercise is a great way to stay in shape and be healthy while not putting much stress on your joints. All this swimming exercise requires is a large area of water where you can swim freely for an extended period of time, ranging from a lake, an ocean or a large lap pool. There are many different things you can do when using swimming as an exercise, based upon how long you swim, what types of strokes you do and the different pieces of equipment you can use to aide the workout.

1. Swim for an extended period of time or a set distance using swimming as an exercise. If you are swimming in a lap pool, try swimming for ten minutes straight or ten to twelve laps in a row. If you are swimming in open water, wear a waterproof watch and keep track of how long you have been swimming or pick a physical location off the water to swim to.
2. Switch between different strokes when using swimming as an exercise. Each swimming stroke works different muscles in your arms, back, chest and legs. These strokes range from the freestyle stroke and the breath stroke to the more challenging backstroke and butterfly stroke as swimming exercises.
3. Swim two to three times per week when using swimming as an exercise. This will keep you in shape but give your body time to recover in between swimming work outs. Try to swim for exercise as often as possible, but always allow yourself a day for your body and muscles to recover.
4. Use different pieces of equipment to work out different muscles more when using swimming as an exercise. Goggles will allow you to open your eyes underwater when you swim, keeping chlorine and debris out of them. A snorkel will allow you to keep your head down when you swim. Flippers will allow you to swim faster. A kick board will allow you to kick your way across the swimming area, working out only your legs, making them stronger.