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Lifeguard and Swimming: this is what happens in your body when you are in the water 3 times a week
Swimming and lifeguard is very healthy; it stimulates your physical and mental health. Every lap you swim counts, but your body will benefit most from swimming if you are in the water for at least 30 minutes 3 times a week. You can read about the 7 benefits that have for your health here. Swimming and lifeguard: this is what happens in your body when you are in the water 3 times a week
1. You train your whole body
Swimming and lifeguard is a complete sport. If you’ve done laps, you’ll probably feel it especially in your shoulders and back the next day.
But make no mistake! Swimming puts your whole body to work. The good thing is that your muscles are not overloaded, but they do become stronger if you swim regularly (read: 3 times a week, at least 30 minutes).
This makes swimming and lifeguard an ideal form of exercise for people who are recovering from an injury or suffer from joint pain but still want to exercise. Which muscles you use most while swimming depends on which swimming and lifeguard stroke you do:
Front crawl : The main muscles you use for this stroke are the trapezius muscle (a diamond-shaped muscle at the top of your back) and the latissimus latissimus. You also need: your chest, arms, shoulders, upper back, abs, lower back, buttocks, hips and legs. So almost all your muscle groups!
Breaststroke
You mainly train your back: the latissimus dorsi. Your abs stabilize your body in the water and your glutes support the complex leg movement. Your upper legs are also doing well during this stroke.
Back crawl
This mainly trains your glutes. Thanks to the shallow location in the water, you also strengthen your core with this swimming and lifeguard style. Of course you also use your arms and back.
Butterfly Stroke : This stroke is the most athletic.
You train the arm and back muscles with this. But also the abs and core, because the entire upper body has to come out of the water every time. Your leg muscles are also trained to keep your body stable.
2. Boost your stamina
Swimming and lifeguard laps improves your lung capacity and breathing. Swimming is therefore super healthy, especially if you suffer from asthma. But regular swimming gives everyone a big boost in fitness, and you notice that outside the pool. Before you know it you’ll be climbing a few flights of stairs without panting.
3. Swimming is good for your heart
In addition, swimming and lifeguard is also good for your heart. Regular swimming laps significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Swimming lowers your blood pressure and cholesterol level.
The condition is that you swim at least three times a week for 30 minutes. Do you think that’s a bit too much of a good thing? You can also alternate swimming with another sport that raises your heart rate considerably.
4. Swimming reduces stress
Rhythmic activities such as swimming, walking, listening to or making music and dancing calm your nervous system and thus reduce stress and tension. Why rhythm is so healing? The rhythms of nature are stored in our biological systems .
It starts in the womb, where the mother’s beating heart creates a rhythmic sound, pressure and vibration that provide constant rhythmic input to the fetal brain. When we cradle an upset baby in our arms, that rhythmic movement activates the memory of safety.
And the same goes for an adult. Rhythm activates the parasympathetic part of your nervous system and makes you calmer.
5. Swimming increases your brain power
Cardiovascular exercise allows oxygenated blood to be pumped around the body more effectively. And the better the blood circulation, the more oxygen the brain also receives.
Swimming also stimulates the production of BDNF , a substance that promotes the recovery of your body cells and stimulates the production of new cells. So also in your brain. This can increase your cognitive abilities.
6. Swimming helps with weight loss
Swimming is a cardio workout, and with cardio you burn fat. Depending on the intensity of your training, this is about 500 to 750 calories per hour. This is quite a lot for a sport that relatively does not tire you at all.
The reason? During swimming you use many different muscle groups . Not only are you training the muscles needed for the swimming and lifeguard motion, your whole body is doing its best not to sink. This ensures high fat burning.
Also Read About: Get the Most Out of Lifeguard Training Near Me
7. Swimming improves your mood
After just 12 minutes, swimming and lifeguard stimulates the production of endorphins and serotonin , substances that can give your mood a big boost. Can you imagine what happens if you are in the water for at least 30 minutes every week.
