Health & Fitness Advice
November 26, 2021

Can Swimming Change Your Life?

can-swimming-change-your-life

Friday, 26 November 2021

What’s your weekly routine? Do you exercise regularly? Often overlooked, swimming is one of the greatest forms of exercise which can suit everybody, no matter what age, ability or background. It is an excellent form of all-around exercise that is ideal if you want to be active and healthy.

We’ve seen massive success with swimming. At a global level, Team GB finished third in the swimming medal table with eight medals. They returned with four golds, beating the UK’s previous best performance at the 1908 Games in London. They also brought back three silvers and a bronze. Swimming isn’t just for athletes, anyone can experience the incredible health benefits.

How can swimming help you?

Regular swimming can reduce the risk of chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and strokes, states the NHS. Research also shows that it can also boost your mood and keep your weight under control.

Swimming is a full-body workout where the water fully supports you. You are using every muscle when exercising in water. Your body also works harder with 30 minutes in a pool worth 45 minutes of activity on land. Water supports up to 90 per cent of the body’s weight, so if you have an injury or illness, you can still remain active with swimming.

It is also one of the most effective ways to burn calories. Did you know a gentle swim can burn over 200 calories in just half an hour, more than double that of walking?

There’s more than physical benefits. Swimming can help you destress and relax. If you swim regularly, you could notice lower stress levels, better sleeping patterns and improved mental health.

Enhance your mental and physical wellbeing today and try swimming for yourself. We have three swimming pools in Luton, all accessible through our Swimming Membership. During national lockdowns, our members greatly missed the social aspect of our swimming pools and the noticeable benefits it brought them. We have loved welcoming you back into our centres and the buzz of enthusiasm for your health and fitness.

We believe swimming should be accessible to all; that’s why our Swimming Membership is only £26 per month for use of all three pools across Luton (Lea Manor Swimming Pool, Lewsey Swimming Pool and Inspire Competition & Community Pool).

At Active Luton, we’re here to help you. All of our pools have inclusive access. Just turn up and ask our receptionist who will arrange for the lifeguard to help you.  If you would prefer to discuss your needs in more detail, don’t hesitate to ask to speak to a duty manager.  At Inspire: Luton Sports Village, we have two PoolPods which offer easy, quick and dignified access to pools for people with disabilities, mobility issues, those recovering from an injury, pregnant women or wheelchair users. In less than 20 seconds, users can go from poolside to swimming - completely independently. The Poolpod wheelchair allows the user to remain seated until they are comfortable with the water depth.

If you’re nervous about swimming or afraid of the water, then why not try a beginners lesson where you can build confidence in the water. We offer affordable swimming lessons for both adults and children where we can accommodate all ages and abilities - you won’t find a better deal anywhere else in Luton.

Lewsey Pool has just reopened in October, the council has worked with Active Luton to secure £150k of National Lottery funding from Sport England’s Community Asset Fund to refurbish the pool and changing facilities. We’re delighted to welcome our members back.

Helen Barnet, Chief Executive, Active Luton, said, “We’re delighted to be opening the doors to Lewsey Pool again. Although we’ll be working gradually back to a full timetable, it means that the local community will be able to enjoy swimming again for as little as £2 per session if they are on a low income. Equally importantly we’ll be restarting swimming lessons from 1 November. It will be fantastic to see this much-loved community asset being well used again.” You can view the full timetable here.

Dive right in and create a healthy lifestyle that works for you. Learn more about our Swim-Only Membership here, or contact us for more information.