Swimming is often touted as a great workout for all ages, offering benefits not only for the body but also for the mind. As a form of exercise, swimming keeps your heart rate up and builds muscle strength. It also can be a great form of stress relief.
“Swimming is a wonderful sport. I definitely recommend swimming for people of all ages,” says Dr. Matthew Crowe, a Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeon, and sports medicine expert who spent many hours in the pool as a competitive swimmer in his youth.
“Swimming is easy on the joints, and it’s very good for both cardiac health and your core strength. And it also can give you really excellent strength around the shoulders, and hips and knees,” says Dr. Crowe.
While the benefits of swimming and aquatic exercise far outweigh the risks, injuries can occur, especially with competitive swimmers who often train upward of 20 hours a week.
