Fitness Friday's: Swimming!

Aloha Polers, yes, it is FINALLY FRIDAY!!

This week's Fitness Friday's topic is Swimming!  Swimming is a great way for you to get a great and low impact work out while being refreshed the whole time:)!  Not only is this a low impact sport or exercise that puts little stress on the joints it is also a heart pumping cardiovascular workout that builds endurance and helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels!  You ever notice how much harder it is to walk or run in the water?  Resistance!!  The resistance of the water forces your body to work harder to complete each movement toning your biceps, triceps, back, chest abs and leg muscles!  That's why all these professional swimmers look so awesome!  usually very lean and muscular:)!  If you are like me, I really do not like swimming for exercise because I am horrible at it!  The hardest part about learning to properly and efficiently swim is getting down your breathing while swimming.  Professional swimmers recommend:

1. Start off swimming in the shallow end of the pool
2. Inhale
3. Put your face under water and exhale through both your mouth and nose
4. Come back out of the water and inhale through your mouth and nose
5. Repeat until you feel comfortable

You may not feel comfortable right away and that's ok too as everyone is different in how their body reacts and gets used to certain things.  After you have the breathing part down you are ready to take on some laps!  As a beginner myself I usually either swim with the back stroke or the side stroke or oh so famous front stroke.  Once these are a lot easier for you move on to something more challenging like the butterfly or free style strokes.  Some things recommended to have if planning on swimming are:

1. Swim cap:  Must be fitted to keep your hair in place inside of it.  It will reduce the lag or drag while swimming and will help protect your hair from the chemicals of the pool.
2. Goggles:  These will help protecting your eyes when and if opened under water from the chemicals as well.
3. Sunscreen:  You won't realize it but during the day you can get sun burnt quick!
4. Water bottle:  Although you can;t tell, you are still sweating from the workout under water which means you must stay safe and hydrated!

Swimming for a workout does not have to be done in a pool.  If you have a lake or ocean near you give it a try there just keep in mind the conditions and amount of people already there:).  Well, if you don't or haven't already give this a try, you may fall in love:)

Have a great Friday!!