How swimming transforms the body
03/03/2023 | Written by Nikos Kaskaras in Fitness & Nutrition Tips
What's the most common summertime wish of all people? To get a perfect body before their time at the beach. And what's the best way to do it? Well, it's what you want to do when you go to the beach: Swim!
Why swimming is ideal for transforming your body
Let's be clear about this: before you go into the sea with your well-toned body, you should spend a lot of time in the pool. This would be doubly beneficial for you because you would also improve your swimming skills. And without exaggeration, building a strong body is not only helpful for self-esteem. It's the foundation of your health. Regular swimming could change your life.
What happens when you swim?
When you swim, your whole body is in motion. All of your muscle groups become active. Your heart and lungs, your vital internal organs, strengthen their function. There's an overall toning of your body and a sense of sweet relief when you get out of the pool. Getting used to such a lifestyle could be one of the most important decisions of your life. Because prioritizing your health is a life-changing thought pattern. What are the main parts of the human body that swimming improves?
- Chest
- Shoulders
- Abdominals
- Feet
Let's take a closer look at each part separately.
How Swimming Strengthens the Chest
The human chest is the largest and most visible part of the upper body. You cannot fail to notice that the chests of all swimmers are impressive, forming the so-called V-shape. This is because swimming stimulates and strengthens the muscles on the sides of the back and chest. In addition, swimmers exercise their pectoral muscles, which act as a link between the chest and the upper arm and shoulder.
We would like to point out the aesthetic difference between a swimmer's chest and a bodybuilder's chest. The latter is more mature and extreme in appearance, while the swimmers’ chests are fit but not dramatically "blown up". This is due to the light nature of the water resistance, which gently exercises the chest muscles, while bodybuilders use weights for the same reason. The breaststroke is the optimal stroke for strengthening the pectoral muscles.
How Swimming Strengthens the Shoulders
Swimming is an ideal activity for strengthening the shoulders. Again, the sight of swimmers' shoulders is astonishing. Their broad appearance contributes significantly to the harmonious appearance of the body. As in the case of the chest, the lightness of the water is decisive in not overloading the shoulder and upper back muscles. This is a law that applies to all swimming strokes and makes swimming the most efficient means of transforming the body without overloading it.
However, we must emphasize that the shoulders are the most sensitive parts of the swimmer's body. Because of the repetitive use of the four shoulder joints during swimming, they can become swollen and inflamed. That's why it's important to have an experienced swim instructor next to you when you practice swimming. Sidestroke or breaststroke swimming techniques are recommended to avoid stressing the shoulders.
How swimming works your abs
The formation of attractive abdominal muscles is probably the most common desire of all people who want to acquire the perfect body. At the same time, it's one of the most difficult and certainly more challenging tasks compared to other parts of the body. When we talk about abs, the focus of the workout is on the lower body. That's why freestyle and butterfly are the best strokes to work your abs. Again, swimmers tend to have impressive abs. This is due to the constant movement of major muscles of the body. These muscles are the hip and lower back muscles. Their constant use in the swimming motion is a stimulating factor in the development of abdominal muscles.
How Swimming Strengthens Your Feet
Although foot strengthening tends to receive less attention in the discussion of body transformation, its role is critical. They are the foundation upon which all athletic activities are based. The same is true in swimming, as the entire body movement is the result of the movement of the feet. So there's more to it than just the aesthetic element. Feet are probably the most sensitive part of the human body because they support your weight and absorb the friction of the bottom. Their effortless movement in the water is both rejuvenating and invigorating. The calves are the most visible parts of a toned body, but the quadriceps, connective tissues, and foot muscles are also strengthened during the swimming process.
Why swimmers have the best bodies
The conclusion is undeniable: Swimming is the best fitness method to transform your body. It is no coincidence that swimmers and polo players have the most toned bodies of all athletes. It is the buoyancy of the water that makes the difference, allowing fluidity and balance. Swimming is suitable for all ages and levels and is less demanding on the body than any other sport. It is both aerobic and kinetic and has no harmful effects on the human body.
So stop thinking about how to change your body and get in the water!
