Forget that saying,”You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” because it’s never too late to learn how to swim. In fact, if you are secretly harbouring embarrassment at not knowing how to swim even though you may have entered into adulthood, you are not alone. Did you know that out of every five adults one of them can’t do much more than a doggie paddle to save their lives?

Fear of the water is not uncommon, but that shouldn’t stop you from overcoming any phobias or doubts because with the helping hand of a certified instructor you could find yourself merrily paddling away like you were born an aqua baby.

Swimming, and other aquatic activities are some of the very best ways to get in shape, tone up, and lose weight. Not only that, but with a wide array of aqua aerobic classes, swim teams, and even underwater circuit training you could be missing out on a lot more than just fun coloured swimwear.  So suit up and jump in, even if it is just in the shallow end for now because a growing number of adults are enrolling in beginning swim lesson classes. 

There’s no need for shame and with your peers you too can start with the basics of blowing bubbles, gain familiarity with the water, and then learn the basic strokes. Soon you may be a convert from those who avoid all things watery at every cost, to just another able bodied person getting fit with the help of their swimsuit.

Talk to those at the swim complex nearest you and they will be able to supply you with the specific times and classes best suited for your needs. The instructors will be attentive to any fears and will further be patient as you then learn to float and try to relax your first few times out. 

Should you not be completely sure if a particular class is for you, you could even spend some time on the side lines and scope things out before splashing in. But certainly once you do, you’ll be more than happy you took that first plunge, even if it did take a few decades to do so!

Getting tired of swimming lap after lap in the pool? Is the thought of mindlessly staring down at the tiled blue line at the bottom of the pool leaving your brain feeling a bit numb? If you want to get in an excellent workout in the water you need not resign yourself to stroke after stroke in the traditional sense. In fact if you are still itching to suit up in your swimwear and get your heart rate pumping you can take part in a variety of other pool related exercises.

The pool is ideal for getting in a workout that is non weight bearing and much easier on your body, and joints in particular. In fact, when compared to running outside should you instead choose to hit the pool in your swimsuit and partake in aqua jogging you would be cutting back the amount of strain on your joints by up to 95 percent depending on how deep the level of the water is.

How much could that translate to? Well if you consider that should you weigh 63.5kg/10 stone and were running outside at a pace of ten minutes per mile the amount of pressure that each step would send
blasting through your joints would be that of 1 millions pounds, the water makes you seem nearly weightless!

Yet if you aren’t so eager to get to aqua jogging there are numerous aqua aerobics and other aquatic classes for you to take part in. AquaFit is one such options which will combine the same aspects of a traditional aerobics class but take it to the pool; again you will reduce the stress on your body but still be surrounded my motivated people as you work with such apparatuses as armbands to increase buoyancy, strap on a belt, or even take it to the rail to focus on pumping your legs.

Another excellent class is the Aqua Circuits that will work on firming up your muscles with the
aide of special weights that will increase resistance in the pool. So you see, there are a plethora of ways to get your move on in the pool without having to stare at the pool’s floor through your swimming goggles the whole time!

Anyone looking to get fit this New Year is not alone. It is a fact that the majority of New Year’s Resolutions pertain to either losing weight or starting a regular exercise routine. While many of these resolutions may fall flat after a few weeks, you can avoid becoming one of the many resolution fitness AWOLs by taking to the water and donning your swimsuit. 

Unlike other cardio activities such as running, rough and tumble sports, or stair climbing, swimming is non weight bearing which means it is tremendously easier on your joints, bones, and ligaments. Where you may feel aches and pains after bouts of cardio on land, but this doesn’t have to be the case if you are doing laps in the pool with your swimwear, or taking part in an active aqua-aerobics class. The water offers you buoyancy which any land activity can not claim. This means you can take the plunge in your swimsuit and work out longer without feeling achy or sore the next day.

Swimming is one of the best cardio activities to get your heart rate elevated, your muscles engaged, and your lungs working to their full potential. This will not only get you fit rather quickly if done regularly but will also burn calories to help you lose weight should that be one of your goals.  Without being so taxing on your body it is possible to do intense swimming workouts more frequently without creating a greater chance of injury. This idea is crucial in competitive swimmers’ regimens in that they are able to stretch their potential nearly every day and get fit faster than say competitive runners that must take an easier day after a strenuous workout to recover and allow their joints and bones to rest. 

Should you still be suiting up in your swimwear but not looking to set a record time, you can still benefit from the water in that any kind of swimming is going to get you in great shape should you keep your heart rate in your target zone.

Even if you aren’t so savvy on swimming lap after lap in the pool, don’t pass up on donning that swimsuit just yet as there are plenty of other aquatic options. There are numerous aqua-aerobics classes that will get your heart pumping and muscles working in a variety of different movements.  You can also take to the pool for for some aqua-jogging and there are many pool apparatuses that can be implemented to mix things up. Ankle weights will improve muscle strength, kick boards will target your leg muscles, and buoyancy belts can be used for a whole host of beneficial aquatic exercises. 

So if your resolution was to get fit and lose weight you need only to look to the water, get into your swimwear, take the plunge, and swim your way to a new you!