These days we are less strict about merits of swimming. But there is little doubt that swimming is a vital skill that every child should be taught. From the health perspective, not only is swimming a great form of general exercise but also is very therapeutic for particular conditions or injuries.

Some of swimming health benefits include

• Strengthening of muscles
• Building and maintaining healthy bones
• Keeps body weight under control
• Promotes better food choices
• Helps to prevent the onset of teenage diabetes

As the resistance in water is more than 10 times that of air, you are also burning up more fat. A research suggests that you use up 25% more calories in water than you would if you were swimming through air.

But because you can swim at your own pace, slowly if you wish, you can keep swimming for much longer than going for the burn on a bike. Maintaining your staying-power is a vital goal in fat-burning exercise.

The other big advantage of being in water is that it takes the stress off your joints, so you can put your body through a good workout without your knees, hips or spine paying the price. Research shows that exercising in waist-deep water reduces the pressure on joints by 50% or, if you go chest-deep, by as much as 75%, because it supports the weight of your body.

Although swimming is great if you joint problems such as arthritis, it would not build up much protection against brittle bone disease or osteoporosis because it is not weight bearing.

With help of stretch bend one can run in swimming pool against current of water. The power lifting is possible that too in water which reduces 50% strain on joints. Swimming is one of the few ways of exercising that improves all-round fitness because it can boost strength, stamina and suppleness all at the same time. One can look at it as having all the cardiovascular benefits of running, but with some of the strength-building effects of weight-training and some of the suppleness promoting effects of dance classes.

Swimming uses all the major muscle groups and is a demanding aerobic exercise that helps to keep our heart and lungs healthy. Swimming also helps to keep our joints flexible, especially in the neck, shoulders, hips and groin as our limbs and body move through the water.

One can increase his level of physical activity by swimming, and therefore, increase the amount of energy he burns up which is a vital component of a weight management program.

Another benefit is the strength and improved co-ordination, built up by swimming. It also reduces the risk of hip fractures in the old age. However, swimming will not build up bones because we need to perform weight-bearing land-based exercises to do this. Also there are some evidences that exercise may protect against colon cancer and can help the elderly people to retain more of their ability to think clearly.
                    
Swimming is, generally, kinder to our body than land-based exercise because our natural buoyancy in water helps us to avoid the jarring knocks that can cause injuries. In water, one weighs about a tenth of his normal weight, and the range of motion for the less fit person is much wider, as the supports the weight of limbs.

Therefore, it is a good choice for people who want to exercise, but have problems with weight-bearing land-based activities. For example, swimming might suit those who have arthritis or back problems, weight problems or are pregnant. Health Benefits

These days we are less strict about merits of swimming. But there is little doubt that swimming is a vital skill that every child should be taught. From the health perspective, not only is swimming a great form of general exercise but also is very therapeutic for particular conditions or injuries.

Some of swimming health benefits includes

• Strengthening of muscles
• Building and maintaining healthy bones
• Keeps body weight under control
• Promotes better food choices
• Helps to prevent the onset of teenage diabetes