WATER WELLNESS
Have you ever been tempted to own your own swimming pool or hot tub? The benefits to you and your family’s health will be immense. Swimming is the best all-round exercise for people of all ages and abilities. Hot tubs offer hydrotherapy massage jets which can bring relief to a number of injuries and illnesses
JUST A FEW GOOD REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD SWIM n It might one day save your life. n Swimming builds stamina, strength and mobility. It is one of the best activities for losing weight and getting into shape. It tones muscles in the upper body – arms,
shoulders, trunk and the legs and improves aerobic fitness, flexibility and co-ordination. n The big plus is that it’s a sport that’s relatively free of injuries. This is because the water resistance acts as a cushion, absorbing any jerky movements – so there are
very few pulled muscles. n If you’re asthmatic or suffer from bronchial difficulties the warm, humid
atmosphere found in indoor pools is very beneficial. n The natural buoyancy of the water allows for a wide range of movement making it particularly suitable for the physically handicapped. If you swim for at least 20 minutes straight, keeping up a constant rhythm and speed, it is an aerobic exercise,
which helps improve general fitness, stimulates the metabolism and burns fat. n The fact that it’s an aerobic exercise also means it improves cardiopulmonary
capacity, while the effort needed to overcome water resistance tones muscles. n It’s also a great way to burn calories: an hour of swimming burns 500 calories. n It’s a sport that you can, if you wish, enjoy by yourself. n Age is no barrier – people of all ages can enjoy its benefits. n It’s a cheap sport to take up, as it requires very little equipment. n Our body’s natural position is upright, but when we swim, we turn it horizontal;
this helps move respiratory secretions, and improves breathing. n Swimming has been shown to be beneficial for asthma sufferers, as it
encourages lung function and breathing control. n Swimming balances blood pressure and normalises pulse rate. n It works the body’s motor coordination. Over two thirds of the body musculature is worked when we swim, including the lower and upper body, trunk and head,
and arms and legs are forced to make a balanced effort. n Swimming also strengthens joints and improves posture by improving the position of
the spinal column. This makes it an excellent exercise for people with back problems. n Last, but not least: anyone can do it. You don’t have to be a great athlete for swimming to be beneficial – and it’s fun, too.
W
ith the promise of warmer days on the way, many of us will be
searching for our swimming costumes. It’s a great time to think about getting in shape for the big annual unveiling. Do yourself a favour, and instead of indulging in sunbathing, sample the delights and benefits of swimming. Health wise, it will do you so much more good! Most of us are within reach of a local public pool or leisure centre, but owning your own pool is now much more affordable than you might at first think! Recent, major advances in the design, technology and installation of pools mean that a beautiful family sized pool (24ft x 12ft), can now be bought for less than the price of a new car, caravan or timeshare. Speed and ease of installation of new, revolutionary DIY pool kits which can be bought with everything from pool covers to lights and plumbing already installed can give you a pool in your garden within a week.
One of the most exciting developments in home fitness equipment has been the introduction of counter-current swimming units and special fitness pools (swim spas). These are much smaller than normal pools (around 3.5m x 2m). The counter-current unit, with settings to accommodate different levels of fitness, generates a current of water into which you swim – without ever actually moving
WWW.WHATPOOLANDHOTTUBMAG.CO.UK WHAT POOL & HOT TUB 15
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