Why Swim?
Swimming is often described as one of the best forms of exercise and it’s beneficial to both mind and body. So get involved!
British Swimming is working with the BBC to get the UK into the pool in a celebration of swimming called the Big Splash. And this is your invitation to join them. Come on in, the water's lovely.
British Swimming is working with the BBC to get the nation into the pool through a celebration of swimming called the Big Splash.
This is your chance to join the 13 million people in the UK who are already making a Big Splash, by taking part in swimming events across the country, finding out what your local pool has to offer, benefiting from fantastic money saving offers and winning some great prizes!
Some of your favourite BBC faces will be taking part, so keep an eye out on TV, radio and online. This really is the world’s biggest celebration of swimming, encouraging new people into the pool and helping those who already swim to have more fun, more often.
This is your invitation to join us, get involved and make a Big Splash!
Get some great discounts and offers at your local pool. Find out more here!
- 30 minutes of steady paced lane swimming can burn over 300 calories – up to 600 in an hour.
- The pressure and resistance of the water makes your body work that little bit harder. 30 minutes constant activity in the water is worth 45 minutes of the same activity on land.
- The water takes your weight, so swimming can be great for those who want low impact exercise - women during pregnancy for example, or for people who have mobility problems or want to protect their joints.
-
Any swimming that makes you breathe more heavily counts as ‘moderate’ activity. Even treading water takes effort, so you are working most of the time you’re in the pool……But remember – chatting in the shallow end only works your facial muscles!
- Swimming is great for your heart. Because you are using your whole body your heart has to pump blood hard to your arms and legs, helping circulation too.
- It is also great for your lungs – length swimming in particular forces you to breathe in a deep and rhythmic way which gives your lungs a boost. Many top international swimmers have asthma and swimming strengthens their lungs to help them deal with it.
- Being in water can have great psychological benefits too – the pool can ‘take you away from it all’ and the feeling of being in water can be refreshing, relaxing, and liberating as the water takes your weight.
-
People of all ages and abilities can enjoy swimming together.
CAN'T SWIM?
It’s never too late to learn. Most pools offer adult classes in a friendly and supportive environment. It could save a life.
Find your nearest pool and information about lessons here
THINK SWIMMING IS BORING?
The pool makes a great playground and a great gym. There is so much more on offer now in our pools from aqua-aerobics to diving, water polo to inflatable fun sessions. Try some basic interval training so that you are not just swimming up and down, it’s more effective and more interesting – see Swim4Fitness or Swimfit for programmes.
