Swimming. Swimming. In a Swimming pool. Why I'm hooked.

About a month ago I started having a whole mess of random aches and pains throughout my feet, ankles, calves and knees.  I wasn't sure if this was just normal wear and tear from my job and perhaps from doing a few too many high intensity workouts, but I was definitely struggling to get through my sessions without constantly fidgeting and stretching whenever I got the chance, and I knew that I needed to tone it down a bit and give myself a break.  But for me, giving myself a break is not easy.  Not only is it my job to be in the best shape I can be but I'm also admittedly obsessed with making sure I exercise 5 days a week and to make those workouts count.  So I needed to come up with a new routine; something that, for at least one of those days, would take a bit of the stress off my joints and break the monotony of the high intensity workouts.  And then, naturally, the Olympics started and Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte and Missy Franklin started going nuts in the pool, so the solution was pretty obvious:  time to start Swimming.

Frankly, I've been meaning to take up Swimming for years but could literally never remember to bring my suit, goggles and towel to The Y, and was always worried that there wouldn't be enough time or pool space for me to get in a good workout.  But at this point I didn't have a choice because I was so achy that the idea of hopping on an Arc Trainer or Eliptical was totally unappealing, so I dove in one morning and gave it a shot.  And I loved it.  When I finished Swimming that first time my body felt tired, but relaxed and certainly not achy or sore (helped, admittedly, by hopping in a Sauna for a few minutes after the laps), and Swimming those 30 laps only took about 20 - 25 minutes, plenty of time for me to get ready to start the day.  My heart was pounding, my muscles felt stretched and toned and I'd certainly exerted myself as much as a regular, high intensity workout.  Since that first time in the pool, I've made sure to get back at least once a week for a Swim, and it has become an excellent alternative to my other routines.  And now I'm ready to spread some Swimming love.  Here are a few reasons to add it to your regimen and a few novice tips for those Swimming for the first time:

• It's quick.  Well, at least it can be:  Right now I'm Swimming about 30 -32 laps per workout, alternating between Breaststroke and Freestyle and it takes me about 20 -25 minutes, depending on how hard my heart is beating and how much air I need between laps.  20 -25 minutes is pretty reasonable for a full body workout, eh?
• It's low impact:  One of the reasons why your see athletes rehabbing in a pool, especially for a knee injury, is because the water is low impact on your muscles, bones and joints.  But if you really want to rev it up in the water, you certainly can.  Try running underwater and you'll see what I mean.
• It's high intensity ... when you crank it up:  I'm in pretty good shape, but for whatever reason doing those 30 -32 laps gets my heart pounding and I'm breathing like crazy in the water alternating between those two strokes.  Hopefully I can build myself up to where it will become easier, but trust me, if you swim a bunch of laps and don't stop (especially Freestyle), you'll be gasping for air as well.
• It really is a total body workout:  No matter what stroke you are doing in the water, if your not using every ounce of your shoulders, back, core and legs, you aren't getting the full benefit of the swim and you'll probably just collapse at some point.  I know I would, but I do my best when I'm swimming to make sure that every body part is moving at the same time.  It's hard, but that's what makes it great.
• It's different, obviously:  I tell my clients all the time to get away from the gym every once in a while, and that could mean going for a jog outside, working out at a playground or high school track, etc.  But Swimming is great because, at least for some, you can do it year-round indoors or out.
• It's for all ages, all the time:  Because Swimming is low impact on your bones, muscles and joints, it truly is exercise for everyone and a great way to stay active without abusing yourself on the cardio and weight machines in the gym.
• You can, and should, do it with friends:  There is a HUGE difference between working out on your own and working out with a friend or in a group.  Friends motivate you, push you and keep you interested, involved and focused on what you are doing.  Or it could be the opposite, but you get the idea.  Swimming is no different, so grab a friend and you'll have fun and work hard together in the water.

So there you go.  Hit up your local Y, community pool, neighbor's house, etc., and go for a Swim.  I'm definitely ready for mine.