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This content was published: March 14, 2019. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.

Swim Conditioning Provides Recreation and Wellness Benefits

PCC Community Education

PCC Swimming Photo

Swimming in the rivers and lakes around the Pacific Northwest is something that many people look forward to in the summer, but did you know that you can also dip your toe in the water with PCC? Swimming can have far-reaching benefits for your health! Swimming works many of the muscles in your body, making it a very efficient exercise. Since your body is buoyant in water, you don’t have the same level of stress on joints, muscles and bones that you might have with a traditional workout. The best news? It’s never too late to learn how to swim, especially when you take swimming classes that are specifically designed for adult learners.

Top 4 Reasons to Start Swimming

If enjoying a refreshing activity isn’t enough to have you hitting the pool, these four reasons should help convince you of the benefits of taking a dip. Getting started swimming is easy, and you’ll start to see and feel the benefits to your body in no time.

1. Swimming Skills Save Lives

According to a study conducted by American Red Cross, more than half of Americans (54%) either can’t swim or don’t have all of the basic swimming skills needed to save their life – or others – in the water. To ensure water safety while swimming, it’s important to have these critical skills, known as “water competency,” as even a basic understanding could be the difference between life and death.

2. A Workout for Every Body

There are no perfect body types for a swimming session, as it provides the ideal combination of a full body workout combined with limited stress on muscles and tendons. Swimming is a great activity for all ages, and allows you to increase muscle tone and improve your cardiovascular health at the same time. Individuals who have suffered an injury or are disabled often find that swimming is one of the few activities recommended during their recovery.

3. Swimming Promotes Healing

Activities such as swimming and cycling are a great way to allow individuals to stay active as they get older. The lessened stress on joints is gentler on osteoarthritis patients, for example. Swimmers often report a greater range of movement, less stiffness and an enhanced ability to be physically active after embarking on a regimen of swimming.

4. Swimming Promotes a Healthy Lifestyle

It’s hard to be in a bad mood when you feel buoyant and supported by refreshing water in the pool. The activity and the environment work together to help reduce stress, and the physical activity itself promotes better sleep habits. As with any exercise, your body will release endorphins that can help contribute to your feeling of well-being.

One of the best effects of swimming? You can burn some serious calories while you’re in the water. Even moderate exercise burns up to 423 calories per hour for a 160-pound individual, while someone who weighs 240 pounds may see amazing benefits: burning between 632 – 1,068 calories during a vigorous hour of swimming.

Ready to get started on the road to better health and wellness – and have a lot of fun at the same time? Bring your loved ones and join the next Swim with Community Ed course at Portland Community College. With a low student-to-teacher ratio and enhanced safety features, you’ll get a great workout for all ages. Register online today in one of four different age levels.