Splash into Summer — The Health Benefits of Swimming

With the official onset of summer comes the real “treat” — three-digit temperatures that prompt heat advisories warning residents against spending too much time out in the desert hiking or biking. Swimming is a fantastic alternative to these outdoor workouts. It allows seniors to get their exercise while beating the heat, and there are so many other advantages to this low-impact activity.

While a variety of exercises can be beneficial to seniors, including boosting moods, lowering risk of injury and maintaining mental health, swimming and water activity (such as water aerobics) is especially great for helping seniors get fit without putting added strain on the body.

With the low-impact and non-weight bearing nature of swimming, it is an ideal exercise for seniors that suffer with joint paint. It’s a complete exercise that works the entire body without putting pressure on key points such as the hips, knees and spine.  

Swimming actually can help reduce the risk of specific ailments that target seniors. Regular swimming can improve bone mineral density, which can fend of osteoporosis; it can also make the heart stronger and larger, improving heart health and endurance; lower blood pressure, improve circulation and reduce the risk of heart and lung disease.

While increasing flexibility and increasing muscle strength throughout the entire body, swimming also helps reduce stress levels while improving moods and brain function, too. It’s also a great activity that can be done individually, in a group class format, or as part of a social activity with friends and family of all ages. 

There are so many ways to enjoy swimming from swimming laps to playing water basketball or volleyball, joining a group water aerobics class or simply splashing around and playing a good old fashioned gamed of Marco Polo with the grandkids! Swimming is also a great way to sneak in an exercise disguised as a fun social activity and it provides to many benefits for mind, body and soul.

Fellowship Square invites seniors to “soak in the summertime” in the pool! It’s a fun way to beat the heat and provides such a great variety of benefits that there’s no reason not to make a splash this summer!