Archive for January, 2010

Get In Shape Quickly With Regular Swimming Sessions

January 31st, 2010

SwimmingAnyone who has overdone it in the gym or out running and has felt the achy soreness that bombards your body the next day can attest that some cardio activities are rather rough on the body. Running, stair climbing, and many other land sports may be great at burning calories and getting you fit, but they also put a beating on your joints and bones. 

This means that if you are doing these exercises regularly you do run a greater risk for an injury that could leave you side lined and unable to do much of anything at all. Yet one of the best cardio activities that can get you both tremendously fit without any of the added stress on your joints is swimming. 

Getting into the pool with your swimsuit on and pounding out some laps is an ideal way to get your lungs working, your heart pumping, and your muscles engaged. This will get your body leaner, more toned, and improve your cardiovascular fitness all at the same time.

Long overlooked, swimming with the right swimwear is one of the best and fastest ways to burn calories. Per minute of swimming you can burn more calories than many of the other standard cardio exercise machines you will find in the gym. What’s more, because of the natural buoyancy of the water, with your swimsuit on you won’t be nearly as likely to getting sore or injured after your workouts. This then makes it possible to prolong your workouts and then do them more frequently; because consistency is the key to getting you fit and losing weight this can work wonders at helping you to achieve any of your goals. 

Swimmers are perhaps some of the most intensely working athletes in that they are able to capitalize on the very fact that they can maintain back to back intense efforts in the pool. This can not be said for say long distance runners or other athletes that must make sure that they give their joints and bones adequate rest between hard bouts. Yet without the effects of gravity holding them down, swimmers can push their limits more often and then gain rewards in increased fitness levels faster.

Should you not be a competitive swimmer, but still wanting to get in shape yourself you will do well to strip down into your swimwear and take the plunge. Whether you choose to do standard swimming strokes to get your heart rate into your target zone or take advantage of an aqua-aerobics class that will spice things up you will see results. 

If you are looking for a fun and excellent way to get in shape, lose weight, and stay injury free then you need only to grab your swimsuit and get to paddling today.

Jump for joy, then jump in the pool for free!

January 26th, 2010

Senior SwimmingIf you fall into the categories of an active senior or an energetic youth and you are looking to score a fee day of swim, then listen up. In an effort to get the older and younger generations enthusiastic and fit in the pool, the Government has granted them the opportunity of hitting up nearly 300 different swimming facilities across the Nation completely free. That means that should you be above sixty and below 16 you can be hitting the lanes with a little extra money in your pockets.

Swimming is an excellent way to gain cardio fitness and increase muscle tone without the harsh weight load that comes in the way of gravity from other land activities. So suit up in your swimwear and get ready to dive on in!

This idea isn’t the first time that local aqua babies took to the water without having to pay up. In 2009, from the months of April to September a similar campaign was run and this led to people numbering over 10 million able to take a splash without the cash. This then has worked wonders in spreading the word as to the marvels of aquatic fitness.

So where might you then be able to take advantage of this free pass? This will depend upon the legislation of your local pool complexes, and to find one of the over 300 offering free swimming to seniors and 200 extending that to the younger set you can go here: http://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/sport/5810.aspx

If you are unsure of which local governing body moderates your nearest pool you can go here: http://local.direct.gov.uk/LDGRedirect/Start.do?mode=1 and supply the postcode you reside in.

Be prepared to offer up some ID or proof that you are in fact of the correct age, but then you should be free to head on in with your swimsuit and go. Further it may be requested that you sign up for a free swim card so that the pool complex is able to track members.

Finally, you can even ask to see if the pool is offering free swim lessons as that has also been part of the campaign. So when you want to get out there and cool off with a dip, or get in shape with some strokes, you could be doing so free of charge!

Looking good at the pool no matter your body type

January 25th, 2010

Look Good SwimmingA bit shy when it comes to donning that swimwear? If you are still on the path to getting that toned body you are working for in the pool and are not yet ready to bare all, or are particularly sensitive regarding a certain part, have no fear. Today’s swimsuits are not only being designed for function but fashion as well, and most of the latest makes will do wonders at giving you a bit of a lift when it comes to that old self esteem. So no matter if you are hoping to distract from a slight bulge, need a bit more support, or even hope to create the illusion of curves, you can get just that and then take the plunge!

For all the ladies out there who have the traditional pear shape you will want to draw the eye upwards by pairing a more bright or patterned bikini swim top with a more demure bottom. Stick with a solid black or other dark colour and then play it up with a bikini top that has either ties, vertical stripes, or any other brighter hue.

Should you instead want to portray long, lean legs you will want to find a bikini that has a particularly higher cut on the briefs. When it comes to bikini tops, if you are looking for a little more support you can opt for a bikini that has a halter style top or others that come with an under-wire that is hidden.

Should you have the opposite dilemma, you can find swimsuits with triangle cut tops, others that tie in the front, and even some that are a bit padded to give you a little more shape. If you want to give the illusion of curves overall you can also pair with a push up bikini top, boy cut briefs that or other similar low leg cuts to play up your hips.

Looking to hide a little stomach paunch? A tankini is perfect for just that and if you are looking into the plus sized swimwear dark colours are your friend. Besides black there are navy blues, and then you can look for ones with a higher leg cut and others with a touch of Lycra to help play up womanly curves.

Finally, even the men may be a bit pool shy and if you are still working on a chiselled six pack you can look to the solid dark colours and even don a shirt if you’d like. If you’re long and lean, you can air on the side of baggy with your swimwear for a cool, laid back appeal. Looking to add the
illusion of some inches; you can opt for a pair of briefs that have a lower waist and a higher leg cut.  When you hit the pool you can do so in style and also know that the key to confidence comes from within.

A multitude of ways to get fit in the pool

January 24th, 2010

AquaAerobicsGetting 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!

Nottinghamshire pool complex pays homage to Rebecca Adlington

January 22nd, 2010

RebeccaAdlingtonIn honour of Rebecca Adlington and her double gold medals in both the freestyle 400m and 800m races in the last 2008 Olympics on Beijing, the newly remodelled pool in Nottinghamshire now bears her name. Unveiled on 2nd of January, The Rebecca Adlington Swimming Centre was in fact the very pool in which the Olympian learned her first few strokes.

Having grown up in the area, a young swimsuit clad Adlington was often spotted cutting through the lanes at a startling speed. It was later at the ripe old age of six that she was then scouted by the Nova Mansfield Development Squad, and from there the rest is history.

Yet her beginnings are traced back to this very spot in Nottinghamshire where the future Olympians of tomorrow look ahead starry eyed with dreams. The Rebecca Adlington Swimming Centre boasts much more than merely a new name, and in fact it has been subject to impressive renovations reaching into the EUR 5 million range.

There is now a brand new greener heating pump that is not only more energy efficient but worlds better for the environment than the outdated coal model. In fact the aquatic complex is the very first in the region to include such eco-friendly measures, leading the way to cutting carbon emissions in the realm of over 520 tonnes annually. With heightened awareness regarding global warming and the detrimental effects of greenhouse gasses, this sets the precedent for other businesses not only in the immediate area but across the globe.

Yet that that is not all that has been updated as the entire pool and gym up are now vastly superior as well. “The pool has been extended, the gym facilities are second to none, there is a state of the art endless training pool and the décor is absolutely stunning,” notes Eddie Smith the district councillor of Mansfield. So while the locale may be the same as when the young Adlington bore her swimwear and took to the water, the swimmers of today may not recognize it were it not for the name it bears.

Stick To Your New Year’s Resolution And Get Fit Swimming

January 10th, 2010

Swimming lanesAnyone 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!