While we understand that pool workouts are good for us, the hassle factor always seems to slow us down during the winter. Warmer weather and plentiful outdoor swimming options take that excuse away from us. Last week we shared how you can: “Improve VO2 Max with Water Aerobics.” We covered a study that found high-intensity pool workouts like jumping jacks and water jogging could boost VO2 max by up to 12% over 8 weeks – while offering lower impact forces than land-based HIIT. Many of our readers are already taking the plunge, as our reader survey found over 29% of you enjoy training by swimming.

If you need more convincing to trade pavement for the pool deck occasionally, allow us to present the case that: “It’s Never Too Late to Start Swimming. Here’s How.” Swimming truly qualifies as a full-body workout, engaging arms, legs, and core – yet it’s remarkably low-impact when compared to running. Its versatility is also a major plus. You can swim laps in a 25-yard gym pool or explore the open ocean, focusing on time or simply zoning out. Swim England even suggests that 30 minutes of exercise in the water is roughly equivalent to 45 minutes of exercise on land due to the increased difficulty.

Beyond the physical, there’s a robust mental component involving breath control and focus. As author Bonnie Tsui notes in the article, “You don’t have to be a great swimmer to appreciate the benefits of sensory solitude and the equilibrium the water can bring.” This idea is supported by a 2022 meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Psychiatry, which found that aquatic exercise significantly reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression. Swimming offers a rare gift to leave the phones and playlists behind and just return calmer, lighter, and stronger.

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