55% of people aged 15 and older cannot swim unassisted. In a study that interviewed 150,000 people in 142 countries, one of the main reasons stated for not knowing how to swim was the fear of water, and the secondary reason was past trauma. However, learning to swim can be a freeing experience for adults to overcome their fears and grow as a person.
Some adults give up on learning how to swim as they believe that if they have not already learnt as a child, then it is too late. This is false; it is never too late to learn to swim. Embracing the ability to learn new skills, and remembering that age is just a number, will open the door to many benefits. This blog post will cover 5 reasons why you should learn to swim.
Great Health Benefits
Swimming has vast health benefits with only 30 minutes a day massively benefiting your overall health. A major study conducted by Swim England found that swimmers have a 41% lower risk of death due to heart disease compared to non-swimmers. This is because swimming creates a healthier heart, improves blood circulation and improves your overall health.
Swimming is a full-body workout as it engages all muscles and is a great fat-burning exercise. It is an aerobic exercise which improves your cardiovascular endurance when in the pool and lowers your resting heart rate. The drag of the water also helps tone your muscles as they are forced to exert an increased amount of energy compared to other cardiovascular exercises such as jogging.
Mental Health Benefits
Exercise is great for mental health as it releases endorphins and improves your mood. Swimming is no different. The rhythmic movements combined with the soothing sensation of water can help alleviate anxiety, improve mood, and promote overall well-being. 74% of 1200 participants in a survey by Speedo indicated that swimming alleviates stress and tension. Additionally, 70% reported that swimming makes them feel mentally rejuvenated. The mental health benefits do not end there as swimming breeds a community spirit, and many use swimming to connect with new people. Here at swim central we are proud to be a part of the great swimming community and take pride in bringing different people together through swimming.
Save Your Life
Learning to swim is a crucial skill to have, a skill that can save your life and maybe someone else’s. Every day 10 people die due to drowning; it is the 6th leading cause of unintentional death for people of all ages. Nearly half of all fatal incidents (44%) involved individuals who did not plan to enter the water; they were engaged in routine activities like walking. Knowing how to swim is a crucial skill to have and could potentially even help save someone else’s life in the future.
Good For Injuries and strengthening joints
Swimming is a wonderful way to keep active when injured. A study found that aquatic exercise, including swimming, significantly reduced pain and disability in patients with lower back pain. They found a 41% reduction in pain and a 31% improvement in disability scores after a 6-week aquatic exercise program. Water reduces the effects of gravity on your body, making you feel lighter. When you run, your body and joints will absorb 2.5 to 5 times its weight with every footfall. Being in water reduces the impact on your joints and allows for easier movement, which can be particularly helpful for people with joint pain or injuries. Swimming is known to aid recovery for bone and joint troubles, due to every stroke in the water being an active form of stretching. Slow lengths and alternating strokes will help alleviate the stress that was previously on your muscles or joints.
Travel and leisure
Water-related experiences are often some of the most unforgettable moments in life. Water can be a source of endless fun and joy, whether you’re on a tropical holiday, enjoying a day at the beach, or spending time with friends at a local lake. The ability to swim not only enhances these experiences but also opens up a world of exciting opportunities, from snorkelling and diving, to boating and water sports. Learning to swim provides not just enjoyment but also essential safety skills, allowing you to participate in these activities with confidence and peace of mind. With the right swimming skills, you can fully embrace the beauty and excitement of aquatic adventures, creating cherished memories with loved ones that last a lifetime.
Adult Swim Lessons At Swim Central
At Swim Central, we offer two types of adult swim lessons to suit various abilities and needs. Our beginner swim lessons are for adults who have little to no experience swimming. This focuses on teaching them the fundamentals of swimming and the basics of the four main swim strokes. These beginner swim lessons are also perfect for anyone trying to overcome their fears as our qualified instructors have plenty of experience supporting people in the water.
We also have adult improver lessons for those who can swim but need support to improve their skills or master certain techniques. These are ideal for someone who may have learnt to swim when they were younger but have no experience since or have forgotten some of the more advanced techniques. If you’re unsure which category you fall in just give us a call and we can help you find the right group for you.