Whether you are an avid athlete or you are looking for a new way to get in shape, you will find that a swimming workout is always a wonderful option. Swimming is not only an amazing sport that everyone can enjoy, it is also a great way to exercise and get moving despite a variety of disabilities or any previous injuries that you may have experienced. These are some good swimming workouts for each skill level.
The Beginner
Just like running, swimming is a sport that is relatively inexpensive. In order to enjoy swimming, you will need a place to swim, a swimsuit and a cap, as well as a good pair of swim goggles. There are also some additional tools that you can use to enhance your swim experience if desired, such as a kick board that you can use for a range of drills. Starting out as a beginner, do a warm up with some freestyle swimming and then go into sprint laps. Depending on your exercise level or swimming ability, you will also need to take a series of rests between laps.
The Intermediate
If you have been swimming for quite some time, the chances are good that you have not only built up a good amount of swim stamina, but that you have learned a variety of swimming techniques. For the intermediate swimmer, add a few different strokes into your laps. Begin with a freestyle warmup and then go into laps that mix slow and fast-paced swimming. Good strokes to incorporate here include the backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly stroke.
The Advanced
If you happen to be someone who is very well-versed in the world of swimming and you are looking for a way to improve your cardio or your ratio in terms of distance per stroke, the advanced swim workout is a good way to go. When you own a kickboard, you can use it in this workout along with paddles and fins, and a buoy. This will allow you to hone in on some of the elements of your stroke.
You could want to work on your body roll, your kicks, or your pull. All of these things can be addressed as you work on an advanced routine that works best for you. Start out with a good warmup and include freestyle strokes, use the kickboard, try pull strokes with the paddles and buoy, then rest. From there, you can add in sprints, slow swim, and any other strokes that you feel comfortable with.
Whether you have a swimming pool at your home, you are visiting the local lake or beach, or if you are hitting the gym or local community pool, there is no excuse not to take advantage of all of the benefits that come along with swimming. The sport of swimming helps to improve cardiovascular health, improves muscle strength, and serves as a wonderful way to get back into shape after an injury or while recovering from an illness or surgical procedure after doctor approval. It is all about finding the right swimming workouts that suit your needs and ability best.