Is Swimming a Good Exercise for Women?

Women and swimming.

It doesn’t take your average TV-sitcom to realize that men and women are different in many ways. In fact, the differences between men and women are the reason behind separate events in the Olympics, including swimming. But when it comes to that aquatic exercise, is swimming a more effective workout for men, or does it work equally well for women? In this article, we’ll explore some of the reasons women might want to take up swimming.

First, we have to get to the most relevant issue that separates men and women when it comes to exercise: pregnancy. Working out when you’re pregnant is a difficult issue for many women who consider themselves addicted to exercise. For pregnant women who are still in their first trimester, swimming makes a great exercise because it doesn’t have to be too strenuous on your body, and is especially kind to your joints. You can simply walk around in the water, moving your body in order to work against the water resistance, or you can try a brisk stroke in order to get moving.

Second, many women have an issue with a lot of resistance training because they believe that lifting too many weights can lead to a bulkier body. Many women desire a slimmer, sleeker athletic look that doesn’t coincide with the bulkier muscles men seem to put on. Swimming is great for building strength and endurance in your muscles without adding the bulk. For women, swimming is a resistance workout that includes a variety of muscle groups but doesn’t provide enough resistance for bulkiness. Many trainers will tell you that it’s difficult enough to add muscle anyway; making sure you get plenty of swimming in can be a great way to stay lean.

There is another aspect to swimming that many women overlook: they’re afraid to put on that bathing suit for the first time in the season because of a few extra holiday pounds. The mental aspect of swimming will help women to build their confidence: the more you get used to moving around in a bathing suit, the more comfortable you’ll feel. If you get your body leaner through swimming, you’ll build further confidence and feel better the next time you head to the beach.

When it comes to swimming, this water-based exercise can be great for both men and women who need to work with water resistance while customizing their exercise routine to their specific needs. Whether you need to burn off plenty of calories or maintain some muscle firmness, swimming can help you.

Photo Credits: Yann!s

Originally posted 2009-07-28 05:18:54.

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