Anyone looking for a healthier, lighter life should consider that swimming helps with weight loss. This type of physical activity combines a range of benefits that contribute to efficient and healthy weight loss.
Swimming is a full-body, low-impact sport. Since it is done in the water, there is no shock or twisting. This makes it helpful for weight loss for people of all ages, from the very first months of life to old age.
By engaging the whole body, understand how swimming is an excellent exercise and why you should include it in your daily routine.
Why does swimming help with weight loss?
Swimming helps with weight loss because, like other forms of exercise, it burns calories. The great advantage of swimming is that the calorie-burning rate is relatively high.
Swimming works all limbs simultaneously. Because of this, it stimulates breathing and heart rate, leading to calorie burning and weight loss.
For this to happen, the exercise needs to be performed for at least 40 minutes, 3 to 4 times a week.
One of the big advantages of this type of exercise is that calorie expenditure occurs with any swimming stroke. You can choose the stroke that suits you best, or vary it as necessary.
However, it is important to note that the butterfly stroke is more demanding compared to the breaststroke, meaning it results in a higher calorie burn.
The ways in which swimming aids in weight loss include:
High intensity and cardio
By constantly moving the entire body, swimming increases heart rate, improving cardiovascular capacity.
Swimming accelerates metabolism, promoting a calorie-burning effect after the workout is finished. This effect is called afterburn and can last for hours post-exercise.
Works all muscle groups
Muscle activation in swimming is complete, speeding up the process of toning and weight loss, which is why swimming helps with weight loss.
The intensity and variety of strokes make it easier to practice regularly and can be combined with other workouts to keep the challenge active.
No impact on joints
Unlike activities like running or even weightlifting, swimming does not impact the joints, as there is buoyancy in the water.
Swimming helps with weight loss and is highly recommended for people who are overweight, have joint issues, or are just starting an exercise program.
Increased metabolism and respiratory efficiency
By boosting basal metabolism, cold water exposure stimulates calorie burning and keeps body temperature stable. Thus, in addition to the energy expended during exercise, the body consumes more calories to maintain temperature.
By requiring breath control, swimming improves lung capacity and respiratory efficiency. Consequently, it improves muscle oxygenation, increasing performance and endurance, allowing for longer, more effective fat-burning workouts.
Overall, swimming is a challenging sport that pushes people to surpass their limits.
Other benefits of swimming
If you are reading this content, your focus is to understand how swimming helps with weight loss. However, there is much more that this form of exercise can provide.
Among the benefits of swimming, we can highlight:
- Strengthening of joints;
- Cardiovascular and pulmonary improvement;
- Stress relief;
- Better sleep quality;
- Boosts the immune system.
Swimming helps, but losing weight requires a good diet
Of course, the calorie expenditure from swimming contributes to weight loss, but swimming should be seen as an ally. Many people believe in miraculous results just from exercise, but weight loss requires a balanced diet.
Consuming fewer calories than you burn is the key to weight loss. Prioritize foods that are high in protein and low in calories.
Keep in mind that food will provide the energy you need to swim. Therefore, aim for a healthy and sustainable lifestyle and diet over time.
Carbohydrates before exercise are recommended as they provide quick energy. Likewise, consuming protein post-workout helps with recovery and muscle building.
There is no doubt that swimming helps with weight loss. Dive into the world of physical activities. Count on Easy2swim to create a lesson plan that suits your abilities and skills, helping you achieve healthy weight loss.