Readers Respond: Ways That Swimming Has Been Good for You

Responses: 99

From Mat Luebbers, former About.com Guide

I started competitive swimming freshmen year.Now I'm a sophomore on the varsity team and I love fly.And this summer I will be a lifeguard thanks to my past swimming exsperience.Plus swimming made me a lot healthier I lost over 20lbs.And I just love being a swimmer.
—Guest ninjagirl

I was a competative swimmer but now I am old. I find if I wear my prescription lense dive goggles and a snorkle I can swim and get all the air I need to keep going. Otherwise I would need to rest. I swim two miles and can see and keep going. The benifits are far less back problems, weight control, I get taller and my Doctor says I have unusual lung capacity. Swim.
—Guest Charles

Not kidding I just started last night, at first I Didn't know what to expect ,but I noticed people with all shapes and sizes - really friendly and when they got in the water I couldn't believe how graceful and strong they were. I feel like a new chapter is unfolding and can hardly wait to continue...
—Guest Kelly

it seems to me like i'm always happier after a swim. i do other sports as well, but i love the push-back from your environment that other sports don't have, and if so, not at this level: you even get a head massage.
—Guest shirley

Hi Everyone My name is Eddie I started swimming about 2 weeks ago and wanted to let you know how much better I feel and how much better I sleep at night I feel like I have more confidence that I ever had. Im 6 foot 4 inch with a slight belly. I been watchingthe scale I havent been under 230 in a long time. I hit 228 today at its 2:46 in the day. I think it helping me loose weight I been breathing hard when I swim it goes to show you how out of shape I was in.. I never knew how out of shape I really was until i started doing laps.. This is my new hobby and exersise from now on.. I swim around 730am in the morning and im loving it... For anyone who is thinking about it get your trunks on and hit the water you want be sorry.. Eddie Knoxville Tn.
—KnoxvilleTn

I am 54 and I started swimming 4 months ago. I went from a 50 hour working week to 25 hrs and joined a fitness club for the pool only. I start my 3 day working week now with a sauna, 30 min swim and steam or jacuzi, wow what a way to start your day. I have dropped a full bra size which delighted me and was unexpected as I am doing this for enjoyment. My sciatica has improved as well. Yes I am prob the oldest in the club but so what no-one really cares and I just feel great.
—Guest McDee

I am 52, I have to swim for exercise due to a surgical implant in my leg. Since September I have built up my fitness and now swim 8000 mts a week.I do four sessions of 80 laps[25 mt. pool] The benefits are dramatic, I am fit and toned, and have lost quite a few inches. I have just started using short fins, and this has really pushed me further than I thought it would. I really love this form of exercise, and would recommend it to everyone.
—Guest Susan Muirhead

In Feb.2010,I had pain on my left hip and could hardly sit for one hour.After seeing the doctor for five weeks,he told me that it was a spinal cord compression that affected my nervous system.I began swimming for 40 minutes a day,5 days a week.After 3 months my condition improved very much.By the end of the eighth month,in Dec.2010,I was completely healed.I am sixty five years old and still swim almost everyday for 40 minutes or 600 meters.
—Guest wattanah.s

I swam at a competitive level for 11 years at school. As I was swimming for the province I did no other sport at school. Ok I was swimming on average 4 hours a day but when I left school I weighed 47kg and I was 1.7m tall. Swimming will help you lose weight and will keep it down. Look at what Micheal Phelps eats everyday and you will know how greats swimming is for keeping slim. He eats everything in site. Alright he swims 6-8 hours a day which is more then 99.9% of us but its still proof.
—katinafrica

I was a competitive swimmer for 13 years! I began competing when I was five and continued until I was 18. I loved every minute of it and was in the best shape of my life. Due to the intesity and duration of swim practices (2.5 hours!) I was able to eat ANYTHING I wanted and still maintain a slim physique! Swimming helps keep my weight down and allows me to do something I love while reducing my stress levels! Nothing beats an early morning swim! When I have time I try to do around a 5,000 yard workout, but if I'm short on time then usually 2,000-3,000 is all I do. It works the entire body and also builds muscles, especially in the shoulders and arms. I truly do miss the competition aspect of swimming. I soooo wish I swam in college!
—ArianaS0823

I'm 13 and have been swimming for 7years. I currently swim 6days a week for 2hours. I swim on a team so our practices are pretty intense. We swim 2-3miles every practice. When we start swimming, I always think "why am I doing this" but after practice, I feel great! Swimming is a great work out. I love it!!!! P.S. in the article how it said a mile is like 1760yds. Its actually 1650 yards. I would know because I had to swim a mile for a meet. It is 1650 yards, 66laps
—Guest swimmergirl

I'm a novice swimmer and this is my fourth week of swimming. I use the kickboard to practice and swim approximately 15-20 laps of the breadth of the pool. I'm overweight and I used to suffer from mild hypertension and insomnia. Ever since I have started swimming my blood pressure is back to normal and I have a peaceful sleep every night. Swimming is a wholesome exercise. The best part is that even someone who is recuperating from an injury or who is not physically able to perform weight training exercises can swim and lead an extremely fit life. An apple a day + 1 hr of swimming everyday shall keep th doctor at bay.
—Guest Ashu2304

I initially began swimming just for the benefit of physical exercise to lose weight, but I have found it to be much more beneficial than that. It reduces my stress level, makes me feel great while increasing my energy level. I am addicted to it because it makes me feel so good. I recently broke my rotator cuff, and as soon as my sling came off I began swimming again, and I did not have to have any surgery or other therapy for my arm, and we are amazed at how well my shoulder has healed, and I attribute it to my swimming.
—Guest Sue

I have had 4 hip replacements and can't walk very far. I swim every day at my local pool. Swimming is non weightbearing so I can swim for a long time without pain. I swim early in the morning and feel great all day.
—Guest Hipjoint

Hi this is some great insight & information that is worth trying. It will take you to the next level. Promise
—Guest Emcgrif1@KU.edu

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