Swimming
Swimming is an excellent form of exercise as it gives a full-body workout. Because the density of the human body is very similar to that of water, the body is supported by the water meaning less stress is placed on joints and bones. Therefore, swimming is frequently used as an exercise in rehabilitation after injuries and is suitable for all ages.
With the right swimming aides people of all abilities can enjoy swimming. For more information on swimming lessons, contact your local leisure centre or swimming pool.
Swimming is primarily an aerobic exercise. As with most aerobic exercise it is believed to reduce the harmful effects of stress. Swimming can improve posture and develop a strong lean physique, called, logically, a "swimmer's build:" lean and spare throughout, with wide shoulders and a smaller lower body.
The goal of competitive swimming is to be the fastest to swim a given distance.
The four competitive strokes are the butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle (front crawl). While "freestyle" and "front crawl" are often used interchangeably, a swimmer may actually swim any stroke in a freestyle race as long as it is done continuously throughout the whole race. Swimmers generally choose to swim the front crawl in a freestyle event since the front crawl is typically the fastest stroke.
More information on Swimming in Cumbria will be available on this site soon.