Swimming is one the most popular sports and fitness activities around. But despite its popularity, some swimming fans want to get more out of the sport.
If you love to swim, you should consider following a swimming training plan. Even if you aren’t working towards a specific fitness goal or participating in a swim event, a training plan could do wonders for you.
Curious about why you should have your own training plan for swimming?
Read on to learn our top 10 surprising benefits of following a swimming training plan. When you’re finished, you’ll be eager to start a plan of your own!
1. See Results
Do you feel like you spend hours at the pool during the week, but you aren’t losing weight or getting stronger?
You may not be reaching your fitness and weight loss goals because your swims are too sporadic. Going on a swimming training plan can put you on the schedule you need to start seeing results again.
When creating your training plan, think about how often you swim now and what you can fit into your schedule in the future.
2. Be Prepared
Do you like to do triathlons? Could you see yourself doing your first one in the future?
If the answer to either of those questions is yes, you need to put yourself on a swimming training plan.
It isn’t uncommon for people to assume that if they’re in good shape they can do any part of a triathlon. Being able to run fast and bike hard is great, but those skills don’t necessarily mean you’ll be a good swimmer.
If you want to compete in a triathlon soon, get on a training plan for every facet of the competition.
3. Total Body Workout
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could tone your arm muscles without having to lift a weight? Or sculpt and tone your legs without going to a traditional cardio class?
A swimming training plan is the total body workout you’ve been looking for.
Swimming engages every muscle group you’d target during a workout. Instead of spending hours at the gym on different weight machines and doing different exercises, you can do everything you need in the pool.
4. Spare Your Joints
There are a lot of people that would like to try an intense workout plan but don’t because they’re worried about harming their joints.
Joint health is important for people of all ages. A lot of traditional workouts like jogging can add some wear and tear to joints.
Swimming is the best kind of workout for people concerned about joint health. It’s a great workout, but it doesn’t put stress on delicate joints.
A swimming training plan could be the best way for you to get healthy and not have to worry about your joints. You can spend your time at the pool to build muscle strength and lose weight.
5. Work Your Way Up
Some people are able to dive into intense workout routines and come out feeling great. But a big, tough start to workout plan won’t appeal to most people.
Following a swimming training plan is a great way to get the results you want from a workout without an intense start-up.
You can gradually take longer swims and aim for shorter lap times at your own pace. You don’t have to worry about pushing yourself too hard. You can just focus on doing what’s right for your health and body.
6. Beat Boredom
Going to the gym can be a great way to reduce stress and work toward your fitness goals. But for some people, it can start to feel a little boring.
Working through the same routine day after day can be dull regardless of what you’re doing. You won’t have to worry about following a predictable pattern if you follow a training plan.
Instead of doing the same thing every day, you’ll be working towards different goals. One day you’ll be trying to break your fastest lap time, and the next day you’ll be focused on working on different strokes.
7. Develop Discipline
Do you feel like you could be more goal-oriented at work? Have you thought about different ways you could help yourself stay focused?
A swimming training plan requires discipline to follow. It could be what you need to see those positive qualities come out in other areas of your life.
Staying on a schedule with anything can help you hone your planning skills and be more goal-oriented. Doing it through swimming gives you the added bonus of adding weight loss and exercise.
8. Improve Energy
It isn’t unusual to feel tired after an hour or two at the gym. But some people can feel absolutely exhausted after they’ve gone through their workout.
The loss of energy may be because you’re pushing yourself too hard. Being on a training plan can ensure that you’re working towards what you need to and that you’re still on track to hit fitness goals.
9. Improve Longevity
Working out can lead to a better quality of life for people, although some workouts are better than others.
One study showed that people who swam had a 50% lower death rate than those who run, walk, or don’t exercise at all.
That number could be attributed to the fact that swimming is gentler on the body than other exercises and it’s a total body workout. Either way, you have nothing to lose from starting a swimming training plan.
10. Boost Your Mood
Exercise can give you a much-needed endorphin boost.
That release of endorphins doesn’t just give you a quick pick me up. Over time, you regular scheduled exercise can help improve your overall state of mind.
Your body will start to get used to those feel-good hormones and will want you to work out more to get them. A training plan will help ensure that you’re getting good feelings at a regular time.
Swimming Training Plan: Next Steps
Now that you know how helpful a training plan can be, it’s time to plan one of your own.
If you want a plan that can help you improve your endurance, check out our post on swimming drills you can do.
If you’ve done your own training plan for swimming, or have tips you’d like to share with our readers, be sure to tell us about it in the comments section!