If you’re considering taking up swimming, you have every reason to go for it. You will stay active, improve your health and improve your mental well-being. If you swim regularly, you will reduce your chance of developing heart disease, diabetes and stroke. If your struggle from weight problems, swimming is a brilliant way to give your entire body a full workout and burn off the calories fast.
How do I get started with swimming?
Pretty much anyone can go swimming, regardless of age or ability. If you have a health condition which makes you question your safety in the pool, check with your doctor beforehand. However, the vast majority of people are perfectly suited to swimming. If you didn’t have swimming lessons as a child, don’t be embarrassed. There are beginner’s classes out there which can help you build up your skills.
What do I need to bring when I go swimming?
The only thing you actually need to take swimming is swimwear and a towel. If you don’t feel confident being so exposed by swimwear or for religious reasons, you can’t reveal too much skin, don’t worry. The vast majority of swimming pools will let you wear what you like, so if you feel more comfortable wearing leggings and a top, go for it. Goggles aren’t an essential and it completely down to personal preference.
If the sensation of water in your eyes bother you or if you are sensitive to chlorine, goggles could be for you. As for swimming caps, these are usually worn by swimmers in lessons or those who wish to gain speed in the water. If you’re just swimming at your own pace, you can just tie up your hair if it is long.
How to do I motivate myself to go to the pool regularly?
For many of us, doing exercise feels like somewhat of a chore. It can be difficult to motivate ourselves to get up and go and it can be all too easy to give yourself an excuse to stay at home. In order to keep yourself going swimming, try to make it a regular habit. If you set aside a convenient time each week for swimming, you won’t have an excuse not to go because you will have already planned around it. Purchase a pass for a swimming pool, this way you will feel you are wasting money if you don’t go regularly.
Involving other people in your activities give you additional motivation to go. If you go with a friend, it can make the activity feel more fun and social and you will also feel like you are letting your friend down if you don’t go that day.
You could also try going swimming with the whole family, once again this makes it a more fun, social event which you will be more inclined to go along to. Try to get rid of the mentality that swimming is a chore and make it something to look forward to!
Tom Spencer is a personal trainer. He encourages people to take up activities that improve their health, and takes his children swimming with www.puddleducks.com.
