Swimming is one of the most accessible forms of exercise in the world. Swimming can make your blood vessels more elastic, enhance your heart health and lung capacity, reduce the risk of heart disease, as well as making you live longer.
Swimming is a very gentle exercise, where people with injuries such as knee problems, and people who struggle to go running or go on long walks can get the benefits of swimming without constant pain. It helps with flexibility and posture, requiring a full range of motion in your arms, legs and torso. This can help with avoiding back and neck issues.
To start getting into swimming, there’s many leisure centres and swimming pools all around the country, where you can get into it. Common ones around Llanelli include Pentre Awel, and Johnstown leisure centres in Carmarthen. You can personally find more local swimming pools to you by going to
Swimming is a very beneficial way to help your mental health. It can enhance your mental well-being by reducing stress and promoting relaxation. I’ve personally gotten into it after wanting to get fit after the impact of COVID. That alongside walking has helped improve my mental health to want to get rid of my fear of swimming and start to love the water instead. I’m still admittedly using a pool float, but you can swim without it if you so choose.
Swimming is an accessible sport for all ages, where you can meet and get into a community with a bunch of people from all ages. I personally met a 92 year old who was open to teaching me how to crawl in the water. These wholesome moments make swimming a very worthwhile hobby for me.
There’s several ways of swimming that you can get into, including Lane swimming, or Freediving, if you have an interest in getting fully under the water. Freediving can be used in order to help you control your breathing and retune your nervous system so you can respond better in stressful situations. This’ll improve your confidence in holding your breath underwater.
What are your experiences with swimming? Feel free to bring it up in the comments below!
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