Swimming: The Gift of Memories

Swimming: The Gift of Memories

By Dayle Tillman

 

Many of us initially introduce swimming to our infants and toddlers with safety as our main goal.  As new mothers we read about children drowning and we know it’s the devastating silent killer.  Teaching our children to swim is so much more than just a precaution though.  Giving the gift of swimming is a sport that will carry our children to their golden years and they will fill the chapters of their life with memories from swimming that are full of laughter and love.

As toddlers and young children explore swimming, they are developing healthy muscles and lungs in a fun environment.  Can you remember spending hours in the water until your mom insisted you get out of the pool immediately exclaiming your lips were turning blue?  Do you remember what you were doing?  Perhaps you were diving to find the penny, competing with your friends to see who could swim the longest distance before coming up for a breath or the classic favorite pool game “Marco Polo”.  

Swimming also lends itself to quality family time with minimal external distractions.  Lazy weekends spent at the pool lounging around chatting casually in a relaxed atmosphere that is often challenging to find indoors.  Engaging in some healthy fun competition like diving rings that just may give the smaller family members a chance to some bragging rights at dinner that night.  Even busy weekends spent traveling to sports events that may separate families for the day can wind down with dinner outdoors and an evening swim under the stars sharing the events of the day.

Teenagers spend a hefty amount of summer break hanging out with friends at the pool or beach.  Social anxiety is high at this age and being a confident swimmer is paramount to enjoying this free time.  Pool parties aren’t very much fun if you are afraid of the water and this is the time in our lives that many of us create some of our memories that linger long after our youth.  As a sport, swimming is a wonderful way to compete both individually and as part of a team.  High school and college athletes have a sense of belonging and school pride along with earning personal accolades and financial scholarships.

Weekends and vacation are the true destination from the time we enter the workforce until we retire.  Spending time on the water and filling our free time with beach adventures, boating and pool time is exactly what we crave. The gift of swimming allows us to enjoy this time and take full advantage of the soothing and uncomplicated environment that water creates.

For more information on our kids swim lessons programs, please  see: parent-tot swim, toddler swim, preschool swim, child swim.

 

This article is brought you to by: The Swimming Swan 

 

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7 Water Exercises for Weight Loss

By: American Sports & Fitness Association ASFA

Anyone with a fitness certification knows that water exercises are a great way to get a low-impact workout that is easy on the joints. This is especially important for individuals who are trying to lose weight and may have discomfort around their joints. Water exercises can be a great way for people who want to lose weight, tone up and get fit.

1. Walking in the pool is an easy exercise that anyone can do regardless of fitness level or age. The natural resistance from the water helps to burn additional calories and help tone muscles without over straining. People who need more stability can hold onto the sides of the pool for balance.
2. Marching is another great option for those that struggle with walking. Be sure to get your knees up as high as you can to use the water resistance to your benefit. Being in the water takes the stress off the hips and knees and can allow greater range of motion than being out of the water.
3. Walking lunges in the pool are perfect when functional training for weight loss. The lunges help strengthen the muscles around the knee and increase agility and stability. Being in the water helps you lunge deeper allowing you to be more efficient with the movement.
4. Leg lifts are another functional muscle workout that you can do in the pool. You can face the wall and lift backwards to strengthen the glute muscles or lift to each side to strengthen the outer and inner thighs. Doing the movements slow and controlled adds greater resistance from the water giving you a full leg work-out without impact to the joints.
5. Jumping Jacks in the water take this cardio move to a new level forcing you to engage your core muscles to stabilize and keep balance with each jump.
6. Flutter Kicks can be performed using a kick board or by holding on to the edge of the pool. This move strengthens and tones the entire leg and works your core by holding the body in a plank like position.
7. Scissor Kicks also get your heart rate up and tone your legs. You can do this by holding on to the edge or leaning against a step. With your feet floating in front of you, scissor kick your legs to tone up and burn calories.

Working out in the water can provide you with the best Functional Fitness program allowing you to tone up, burn calories, lose weight, and increase overall personal fitness. Any trainer that has completed their personal trainer course can help demonstrate or create a personalized water fitness plan to help you lose weight and meet your fitness goals.

For more information on our private at-home aqua fitness courses: see here.

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