People have two major hang-ups with swimming. The first is finding a lap pool that’s convenient (Hard to help you there, but surely you have a YMCA nearby.) The second is how hard swimming feels. We can’t really help you there either. While just 20 minutes in the pool can burn more than 250 calories—the same as running—swimming is a full body workout that introduces new challenges. “It engages every fiber of muscle from your core to your extremities,” says Morgan Mabe, swim coach at Asphalt Green in New York City. There are no other sports equally tough on your upper body and your lower body while being gentle on joints. Not only that: “The anaerobic aspect of the sport will instantly raise your heart rate as it stimulates hypertrophy—essentially, muscle growth.” If you’re a sometime swimmer, start by focusing on technique. Regardless of your level, trade secrets from the pros can make the experience more enjoyable. Now, that we can help you with.
As we established, propelling yourself through the water is hard. So a few pointers from experts in the field can’t hurt.