Readers Respond: Ways That Swimming Has Been Good for You

Responses: 99

From Mat Luebbers, former About.com Guide

I swim for 2 hours 5 days a week. I love to swim and the excersize keeps me healthy. For me, I love to be in the water so just being in the pool has a calming effect on me. Also, for me, swimming gives me a chance to think about what all is going on in my life and sort it out in my mind. It's also good for getting over things. I can channel all my anger hurt or even happiness at the way I am swimming, and it relieves me of it. Swimming is just something great to do for anybody:)
—Guest Kate

Water therapy in which you can combine swimming a few laps and then making up exercise you do on land (like bicycles and side stretches while holding onto floating bar bells) can do more than any pain pill you may consider. l2 hrs. before hip surgery and 2 yrs. later I continue this and feel so much better after even a short dose. More people and children should be educated in this benefit. But then the pharmaceutical companies and surgeons would lose business...
—Guest JULIA

I have arthritis in my hips(although I am only in my early 50's). I am not overwieght and have always been active so it was distressing to have pain when do my workouts or even walking. I have found that swimming has GREATLY improved my flexibility and seems to be toning me as well or BETTER as any weights regime. PLUS it is so relaxing...
—Guest Merri

I have swum for most of my adult life...always finding a local pool if I´m travelling. Half an hour for me is enough, 30-40 lengths...crawl, breast and back stroke. I can do this every day.....You always feel good afterwards and it is very relaxing once you get in the groove. I´ve seen guys in the pool in their 80´s and they look good. If you want to stay fit then this is a great way to do it ! Power to all us swimmers and to the pool builders who´ve made it possible !
—Guest nigel

Several years ago I have had open HEART SURGERY, and 2003 I had a major Stroke, My Blood Pressure was 138/90 and I was over weight, and the doctor to me I must do something, I started swimming and my weight is down and my blood pressure is 110/80 THANK GOD I AM STILL HERE.
—Guest Mary Swanson

I swim two miles at least four times a week. Since I do this I don't have time for depression or any kind of serious illness, I just feel great. I swam just a mile when I was pregnant and after a knee surgery. Now I'm almost 40 years old and my husband tells me that my body is in very good shape, also if I swim I have to be very selective with the food, and at the swimming pool I have made incredible good friends, and we have very healthy fun!!
—machin70

Swimming is probably one of the noblest sports, but an 'aggressive' approach to swimming can cause some problems: - postural deficiencies for freestylers, backstrokers and even breaststrokers (less for butterfliers) - these could be diminished by using special compensatory swimming exercises - ligamentous laxity and other joint problems (breaststroker's knee, swimmer's shoulder) - these could be prevented by doing gym/exercises for strength and flexibility - ventricular hypertrophy, when doing too much hard training at especially at a young age, and which can limit later performance. welcommen, mircea
—Guest mircea

I try to swim 1/2 mile each day. It helps my back muscles get stronger and makes my whole body feel relaxed and stronger.
—Guest Mary Ann

As a 12 yr. old non-athletic black youngster, I started competive swimming (city rec. program). I went on to earn a swimming scholarship (SC State College), coached two college teams (Temple Univeristy & LaSalle University)... My wife Olivia & I started an age group team ( Tigersharks, Phila., PA)coached then for twenty years & helped over thirty inner-city youngsters go to college; our children (Stacy & Damon) being two them. After forty yrs. of teaching & coaching, at age 63 I'm now retired and swimming about four days per week. So one may say, I''ve certainly benefits from swimming! Malachi Cunningham
—2357lambert

I had some competitive swimming several years ago and did not continue because it was too stressful. I went to one meet in Tulsa and enjoyed that. This summer I started swimming laps in the park pool. In a short period of time, I started feeling the benefits. My body started reshaping, I didn't eat as much but ate very healthy foods, I felt very relaxed and if I didn't swim at least three times a week I missed it. Now that the park pool is closed, I am swimming at the Senior Center and am loving it. I get up very early and am in the pool(which is heated) by 6:30. I swim from 45 mins. to an hour three times a week. What a wonderful way to start the work day! I feel very powerful in the water, am reading a lot to help me improve my strokes. I am varying my strokes but seem to really enjoy the breast stroke and crawl. I am going to find out about joining the Master Swim Team in this area. I am so grateful for swimming!SJG
—Guest Sylvia Geddes

I was always a swimmer but after recovering from my cancer treatment, I went to a TI workshop and my life truly changed. I was 60, I retired, and swimming, yoga, and walking are also as important to me as my large wonderful family.
—Guest Julie

Swimming is good for all things you can play,race,or you can just sit there and do nothing. It really helped me get fit.
—Guest olivia

I just learned swimming at the age of 33 because of the trauma I had when I was a kid. I love visiting the beach and love to be by the sea but I never knew how to swim so two years ago when I found out that I have a congenital heart illness and have gained a significant weight from my usual 90lbs to 130lbs plus all the stress from work I knew I had to do something that is why I tried learning to swim to live my life more. You see I get much leaner now because I lost weight now am at 118lbs not even that, since I lost weight I no longer find it difficult to move and I feel more relaxed even if I have tons of stress at work. I see to it that if I feel stress is hovering me I really take time off just to go for a swim. Swimmers would know the light feeling after every good swim.
—Guest enuhj

swiming helps keeps my stress down after school and helps me lose weight. it's very relaxing
—famos101

I enjoy the affect swimming has on my mood. I am in the service industry and sometimes it can become difficult to put on a smile when I am not feeling my best, but after 45mins. to an hour in the pool at the Rec center, I on top of my game. I have only just started back swimming after leaving the military some twelve years ago but I am happy to say I am doing something I have always loved to do and the benefits are countless.
—emergingman

Also from About.com: