Unlock Your Potential: The Comprehensive Benefits of Adult Learn-to-Swim Programs
For many, memories of swimming are linked to childhood - carefree days spent splashing in pools or at the beach. However, as adulthood sets in, the water can transform from a source of joy into a source of anxiety. Life gets in the way, priorities shift, and the pool is replaced with other activities. Yet, learning to swim as an adult offers a multitude of benefits, fostering comfort, improving fitness, and reducing stress. Let's dive into the advantages of becoming an adult-onset swimmer.
What is an Adult-Onset Swimmer?
An adult-onset swimmer is simply someone who learns to swim as an adult. Whether the goal is to swim for exercise, participate in a triathlon, or simply feel more comfortable around water, it's achievable with self-teaching or guidance from a qualified coach. It can be intimidating to try something new, especially as an adult But remember: You ‘re not alone! There are many people who did not learn how to swim as children.
Creating a Comfortable Learning Environment
You don’t have to head to the local pool or lake to start your adult swimming journey. According to Taren Gesell, founder of the coaching app MoTTIV, a swim spa is a controlled environment where you can build your comfort in the water. At first, being in the water may feel strange, unfamiliar, and even a little worrying. A Michael Phelps swim spa is a safe place to learn how to swim. It’s just you, the water, and a private swim coach (if you go that direction). You don’t have to worry about the former swim team star moving at super speed in the swim lane. Nor do you have to make sure to avoid the toddler class when scheduling lane time. Bonus: Michael Phelps swim spas are designed to be used year-round.
Physical Health Benefits
Once you learn how to swim, you’ll be able to enjoy a variety of benefits. For example, swimming is an excellent form of exercise. Hopping in the water is particularly beneficial because it works the heart and lungs. A strong heart will pump blood more efficiently, improving your circulation and lowering blood pressure. Conditioned swimmers will also notice a drop in their resting heart rate.
Full-Body Workout
Swimming is one of the few forms of exercise that is truly a full-body workout. When you are swimming, you are using every major muscle group. Even a leisurely swim will recruit your shoulders, back, chest and thigh muscles.
Read also: Lifelong Learning in Maine
Low-Impact Exercise
But swimming is also a great form of exercise because it does not put stress on the joints. It can be done by people of all ages and fitness levels. Aquatic exercise, especially in warm water, relieves joint pain and increases flexibility. This is due to the water minimizing the impact on your muscles.
Improved Blood Sugar Control
Studies have found that swimming can also improve blood sugar control. It works both because it provides an aerobic workout and because of the resistance provided by the water, it also builds muscle.
Mental and Emotional Wellbeing
“Swimming for your health” also applies to your mental and behavioral well-being. It’s also relaxing; it can relieve your stress and calm your nerves. Swimming is a great way to relieve stress, especially if you’re not used to exercising.
Stress Reduction
A 2012 survey of nearly 1,200 swimmers ages 16 to 45 around the world conducted by Speedo investigated how swimmers felt about their sport. According to the survey, 74 percent of respondents said swimming helps release stress and tension. And some find that just being in the water can be a way to reduce stress. After a session in the Michael Phelps swim spa, you can take advantage of the built-in therapy. There are ergonomic hot tub seats with massage jets that target your high-tension areas.
Cognitive Benefits
Dr. Denise Park of the University of Texas conducted a test on the effects of learning new things at an older age. She found that studying new, challenging skills-such as swimming-wards off cognitive decline, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. It’s important to take care of your mental health. Stress and anxiety can weaken your body’s immune system. Swimming can be used as a self-care activity to release mental stress.
Read also: Strategies for Adult Math Success
Overcoming Fear and Building Confidence
A main reason people give for avoiding swim lessons is, “I’m embarrassed that I can’t swim,” and that’s understandable. Researchers have found that adults have a harder time than kids admitting a lack of knowledge . Understand that mastering swimming isn’t going to happen in a day-or even a month. Keep in mind the main purpose of learning in a class setting. There are skills that other students, like you, do not yet know. If those other students were already pros at swimming, they wouldn’t be taking a class. They’re too busy setting their own goals to be worried about your opinion, so don’t let the (highly unlikely) fear of their criticism halt your progress. Station-based programs are a great help here, since you’ll be able to appreciate small victories frequently rather than being fixated on an overwhelming end goal. “[It provides] achievable levels of skill-building. If group settings are not your cup of tea, private and semi-private lessons are always a possibility.
Social Benefits
Being in a swim class with your own age group is a great way to find like-minded individuals to relate to. Soon, you’ll know people you can look forward to seeing in the water at each lesson. Having a buddy there to share your struggles and successes can make each lesson that much more enjoyable. Not only is that good for your mood, but also it keeps you invested! Studies show that about 40% of people drop a class soon after starting, versus just 6% of those who participate with a friend.
Conquering Aquaphobia
Fear of water is a very common phobia. The surprising thing, though, is that a large majority of people who cannot swim will still interact with large bodies of water during the year-taking cruises, having pool parties, fishing, and so on-without the basic skills to save their own lives. Conquering your fear may not happen overnight. It may even take you a few years to get into the water. That’s fine. Consider 92-year-old Stasia Kowalski. She didn’t learn to swim until she was about 40 years old because of a terror of drowning.
Water Safety and Setting an Example
The kids in your life are watching you, and whether you know it or not, they are imitating your actions. If you don’t get into the water or express your distrust of large bodies of water, you’re subconsciously teaching them that safety in the water is not a priority. Children are at a higher risk of drowning than many people realize; it’s the second leading cause of accidental injury-related death for children age 14 and younger.
A Vital Life Skill
You are never too old, too busy, or too inexperienced to learn how to swim properly. Whether you’re learning as a bonding activity, to save yourself in an emergency, or even to protect your kids, adult lessons are for you. The Mission of SwimRVA is to change lives through aquatics with a vision to drownproof Richmond. We promise to serve as a catalyst for regional aquatics and community-wide focus on water safety, health and fitness, sports tourism, and competitive aquatics. It is fundamentally imperative that everyone, no matter the age, learn how to swim. While the importance of lessons for children may seem obvious, there are many benefits from participation in adult lessons, as well.
Read also: Maximizing Educational Impact
Addressing a Critical Need
In 2014, a national survey conducted by the American Red Cross found that over 50% of Americans either cannot swim, or cannot perform basic water safety skills (such as tread water or float on their back). The survey also found that many adults believe that they are better swimmers, than they actually are. While less than 50% of Americans know how, over 80% will report that they, in fact, can swim.Drowning is the 6th leading cause of death, for people of all ages. On average, 10 lives are lost, every day, due to unintentional drowning. However, only 20% of those individuals are under the age of 14.
Setting Goals and Expanding Horizons
An adult swimming journey is all about setting a goal and taking small steps to accomplish that goal. Learning how to swim isn’t just about being able to swim. Maybe after learning how to swim, your friend will start joining you for lap swim workouts, or even sign up for their first triathlon with you. You could go snorkeling or scuba diving on vacation or finally learn how to surf.
Integrating Swimming into Your Lifestyle
Do you want to be able to swim, exercise, and relax at home? Having a Michael Phelps Signature Swim Spa allows you to swim on your schedule while adding a fun factor to your backyard. You can click here to find out more about the benefits of hydrotherapy and relaxing in a hot tub. Or, contact your local Master Spas retailer to learn more about swim spa ownership. Wondering how much a swim spa costs?
Dispelling Myths and Embracing Lifelong Learning
There’s an old saying you’ve probably heard, something about a dog learning new tricks. This is a MYTH! You’re never too old to learn anything, especially how to swim. Do you need proof? National age group records starting in her 80’s. In May of 2012, Marie became the oldest American to compete in a United States Masters Swimming competition. Health awareness has increased over the last few decades, which is great considering the close proximity Richmond is to the James River. It has been voted the “Best River City” which is a great motivation to make sure you can take full advantage of what it has to offer.
Additional Benefits of Adult Swim Lessons
The idea of signing yourself up for swimming lessons, as an adult, can be intimidating. But you can feels secure in knowing that you are not only taking the right steps to keep yourself safe, but also to keep your family safe, around water. Learning how to swim is not only necessary in order to stay safe, but is also a great way to exercise. Offering both a low impact, and cardiovascular workout, swimming allows your body to work as productively, while relieving joint pain and increasing flexibility. The aerobic training, combined with the resistance created from the water, helps your body regulate blood sugar and heart rate. This is done throughout your workout, as your muscle cells learn how to absorb nutritions and oxygen more efficiently.The advantages of regular adult swim classes are also seen in their ability to reduce stress, and improve your overall mental health. Proper instruction can also help improve posture, coordination, and balance.
tags: #adult #learn #to #swim #program #benefits
