Swimming is among the best exercises that exist for both mind and body. It is a low-impact sport, which means beginners, those who are injured or disabled, or those seeking great cross-training workouts find it an excellent and safe workout. It is comparable to running as regards how many calories it burns. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions about swimming. One is that the water simply cannot provide a good workout; another is that one cannot break a sweat when one is in the cool water of a pool. Here are the four most common myths.
Pools Do Not Provide Good Workouts
This myth arose because workouts in the water are low impact. This makes them easier on the body for those who are recovering from injury or wish to avoid pain in the knees or other joints. Low impact does not equate to low quality, however. Swimming is among the best whole-body exercises that exist.
Swimming Doesn’t Help Lose Weight
Just like within the general population, some recreational swimmers are trim and others are not. Because of this, many have concluded that swimming is not great for weight loss. But a look at swimmers who are dedicated athletes in their sport will show that they have plenty of lean muscle and little body fat. Any activity that leads to a calorie deficit can aid in weight loss. Swimming burns calories, more so than walking and nearly as much as jogging.
Hydrating is Optional While Swimming
When any workout’s intensity is increased, whether in the pool or anywhere else, the body temperature rises and the body sweats in response. It is invisible in the pool, but it still occurs. Drink water for swim workouts that are under an hour and consider sports drinks that are enhanced by electrolytes for those that last beyond an hour.
Peeing in the Pool is Okay
While many people believe that chlorine kills all the bad stuff in pool water, making peeing acceptable, this is not the case. It is far from healthy to pee in the pool. When chlorine interacts with body oil, sweat, and urine, noxious chemicals are created. These are most notably cyanogen chloride and trichloramine, which increase breathing problems in asthma sufferers.