One of the biggest benefits of swimming is that it truly works your entire body, from head to toe. It tones muscles, builds endurance and increases your heart rate without stressing your body.
The humid environment of indoor pools makes swimming a great activity for people with asthma. The breathing exercises associated with it, like holding your breath, help them expand their lung capacity.
Swimming may have the power to help you sleep better at night. In a study on older adults with insomnia, participants reported a boost in the quality of sleep after engaging in swimming on a regular basis.
Like other forms of aerobic exercise, swimming can improve your cardiovascular fitness. Swimming allows the heart to become stronger and the lungs to become more efficient in utilising oxygen.
A study published in 2003 in the Journal of Psychology found that a single session of swimming improved mood even more than a single session of aerobic dance.
A review published in BioMed Research International in 2020 found that 3 to 6 hours of swimming per week improved bone mineral density in postmenopausal women, especially among long-term swimmers.