Friday, 08 April 2022
A zero-impact sport that anyone can do, swimming is an accessible, full-body workout that anyone can try. There are endless benefits to this pool-based sport. Our blogs often reiterate the positive and life-changing effects of regular swimming. It can lower stress levels, reduce anxiety and depression, and improve your sleep patterns - all from just a light swim. However, we understand that repeating length after length can get repetitive and even dull. That’s why it’s crucial to change and improve your routine today. Whether you’re training for a triathlon, in rehabilitation or looking to swap your gym activities, keep reading to find out how you can improve your swim routine.
Add More To Your Laps
You can utilise the pool for more than laps. Swim to the deep end and cross your arms, keep your head above the water and kick down, try to tread the water without the use of your arms from anywhere between two and five minutes, adding it to the end of each length. Also, try lifting yourself out of the water on the edge of the pool (you don’t have to get out entirely). Doing this twenty times at the end of a lap or a workout strengthens your triceps and shoulders. Other powerful pool moves in the shallow end you could try to include running on the spot, punching, squat jumps and tuck jumps!
Try Intervals - Think HIIT
You don’t need just to do burpees to get your heartbeat up in a HIIT workout. You can take interval training to the pool. Consider a warm-up for five minutes, then try alternating for 20 minutes. For example, if you prefer working with distance, sprint one length and recover on the way back, or a 60-second sprint with 20 seconds of rest. Make it more challenging by laddering up. You could start at a leisurely pace, then with each interval, add more effort in rounds of three, then on your final push, give it everything you’ve got. Complete your hard work with a cool down. It will keep your mind occupied and keep you thinking about what is coming next.
Top Up Your Motivation & Have A Laugh
If you find that swimming isn’t your thing, but you still want to be in the water, then try another water aerobic activity such as AquaFit. Not only will you have an instructor to motivate you, but joining a class will keep your spirits high as you take the plunge with a group who will also be laughing along to the music and the rhythm.
There are so many benefits to aqua aerobic activities, the British Heart Foundation state:
It gives you an excellent cardiovascular workout, gently increasing your pulse and breathing rate, so it’s fantastic for helping to improve your heart health.
It strengthens and tones muscles – the resistance of the water means that opposing muscle groups are worked in each movement as you push and pull against it.
It improves flexibility while the support of the water reduces the risk of muscle and joint injuries.
Check out our AquaFit classes available on our timetable.
Add Mindfulness By Meditating
If you prefer the repetitive nature and structure of laps, view your actions differently. Swimming can be meditative. Start by focusing on your breath, counting 1, 2, 3 left, and 1, 2, 3 right allows you to disconnect from the outside world. Then, tune into your senses - the rhythm of your arms, the sound of the water and the beauty of the light reflecting on the surface. In doing so, you will feel calmer and relieve stress.
Find A Friend
Being solo in the pool can feel quite lonely. Swim with a friend once a week. Try swimming at their pace and do their workout to change up your routine. If they’re quicker than you, this can inspire you to push yourself more than usual. If they’re slower, why not cheer them on and motivate them to go at a faster pace. By teaming up, you have more of a social aspect which can help break up the monotony of lane swimming.
At Active Luton, we offer a range of options for our swimming pools. We have Women-Only Swimming Sessions, Inclusive Access, including Pool Hoists, Swimming Lessons for adults and children of all abilities and disability swimming sessions. Learn more about your local swimming pools in Luton here, or find out about our Pay As You Go General Swim Prices.