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Stay in shape all year round with lap swimming

May 05, 2022

Underwater view of a fit woman lap swimming

Our Swim School Team have put together a few basic tips you and your child might find helpful as they progress their journey to becoming a competent swimmer.

Facilitate building trust

Children often do not know their instructor and trust is a huge part of teaching swimming. Before each lesson and in between lessons talk about the instructor using their name so the children are mentally prepared and make a big display of yourself meeting the instructor so that the children can see you trust them as well.

 

Not sure about wearing goggles

Some children really don’t like putting their googles on and using them, especially the little ones. A good tip is to let them play with them at home in the shower and bath.

Get that Streamline

The best position for moving through water is a straight line along the surface of the pool. For some kids this is a challenge but practice pretending to be an arrow or a rocket ship so that fingers part the water and keep head in line with body. 

Streamline position  - We do this with all levels starting with our toddlers by doing motor boats with them in the water. Arms stretched out in front or holding a board. Kicking legs with face in the water blowing bubbles to make motorboat noises. 

Pull - Breathe - Kick - Glide

Breaststroke can be tricky! Fix your breaststroke timing by getting the 'pull, breathe, kick, glide' sequence just right for a smooth and efficient swimming stroke.

  1. Pull with arms
  2. Breathe in
  3. Kick with legs 
  4. Glide for 3 seconds

Keep it positive 

Always talk about the positive things a child can do while swimming and only focus on that. It will build the child’s confidence, it feels good and distracts them from the things they do not like to do. 

Did you know that lap swimming is one of the best exercises you can do all year round, regardless of your age or physical fitness level?

And thanks to pools that are the same temperature all year round, swimming is as comfortable to do in winter as in summer. Read on to find out about the physical and mental benefits of swimming all year round.


The physical benefits of swimming all year round

Swimming is ‘whole body’ exercise

Swimming is an amazing exercise for your whole body. Unlike running, swimming exercises both your upper and lower body. It’s also good for your core (your abs, hips and lower back). Everyone from babies to the elderly can enjoy the benefits of exercising in the water regardless of physical ability or fitness.

Swimming is low-impact exercise

Swimming will keep your muscles toned and in great shape without any impact on your joints. It can also be a great, low-impact option if you have any joint injuries, but always check with your doctor first before doing any exercise if you have an injury or health condition. They may even recommend swimming to help with your recovery.

Swimming is more comfortable

A lot of people find jogging and other aerobic exercises to be quite uncomfortable, especially in the summer months. Swimming is a great way to burn energy, tone muscles and generally feel energised without getting that hot, sweaty feeling.

Swimming helps people with asthma

If you suffer from asthma, swimming can help you to exercise safely and boost your aerobic fitness levels. It can also help you to reduce the symptoms of exercise-induced asthma.

Swimming in winter helps you get the edge for summer

If you like to compete in swimming events or triathlons, it’s important to train all year round. For example, competing in an endurance event over summer like the Rottnest Channel Swim (19.7km) will be much easier if you swim and build a fitness base over the winter months.

Similarly, if you compete in triathlons over summer you can get an edge over many of your competitors if you keep up your swim training over winter.

The mental health benefits of swimming

Improved mood

What’s good for the body is also good for the brain. After a great workout in the pool you will have worked all your muscles, burned plenty of calories and had a much higher circulation of your blood around both your body and brain. Any form of exercise stimulates the production of a range of chemicals that help to improve our mood, including endorphins, dopamine and serotonin. These chemicals can help to reduce stress and improve your mood.

Improved brain power

The same chemicals that help to improve our mood can also help to improve our brain power. When endorphins, dopamine and serotonin are released, they can help to improve our concentration and make us mentally sharper. Our memory and cognition levels can increase after exercise.

It’s not only important for young people to exercise to improve their brain power. Research has also shown that exercise creates more connections between the nerve cells in your brain, which can help to prevent brain injury and disease as you get older.

Improved sleep

Exercise in general will help you to sleep better but swimming seems to help sleep quality even more so. It is an exercise that works your core, arms, legs and cardiovascular system, so it’s not surprising that swimmers tend to sleep well. Sleep is crucial for both your physical and mental health.

How we can help

If you want to start lap swimming to boost your physical and mental health, we have three state-of-the-art pools to choose from at HBF Stadium in Mount Claremont. They are used by elite swimmers as well as the general public, with dedicated lap swimming lanes for each.

All three pools are heated to 27 degrees all year round, and we have modern and clean change room facilities onsite. We also have swim classes available for all ages and ability levels. You’re never too old to learn to swim or to have swimming lessons to improve your technique.

Take advantage of our 7 day free fitness trial, where you will get access to not only our pools, but our state of the art gym and fitness classes as well. 

Contact us today to find out more or drop in to check out our facilities for yourself. We’d love to see you!

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