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An old sport gaining new popularity
Benefits
Where to go

As the old saying goes, only two things in life are certain: death and taxes. However, anyone over 40 would probably agree that there is at least one more certainty-- the older you get, the easier it is to suffer exercise-related injuries, and the harder it is to recover from them.

Now, when it comes to death and taxes, the best you can hope for is a postponement. Exercise-related injuries on the other hand can be avoided, even if you continue to exercise. How? By switching to lower impact forms of exercise. Some forms, like Tai Chi are not well known to most. But one, is familiar to almost everybody: swimming.

An old sport gaining new popularity
An ever-growing number of runners, basketball, football, and baseball players (as well as participants in all number of high- impact forms of exercise) are turning to swimming to avoid the injuries that generally accompany these forms of exercise.

Why? Three reasons.

1. In the water, your body's weight is completely supported, thus preventing most of the common injuries related to land-based exercise.


2. Because the possibility of injury is so greatly reduced, swimming makes it much easier to pursue a more rigorous workout.


3. Because swimming uses (and thus conditions) more of your body's muscles simultaneously than almost any other form of exercise, swimming results in a better overall workout.

Benefits
The benefits of swimming are not limited just to those wishing to avoid the injuries common to other forms of exercise. Those recovering from exercise- and non-exercise-related injuries can also benefit. Because of its non-impact, low-stress nature, swimming and other water-related exercises are often the best (and sometimes the only) exercise method that can strengthen injured joints or limbs without exacerbating the original injury.

The benefits of swimming don't end there. Again, due to its non-impact nature, swimming is often an excellent form of exercise for those who suffer from chronic pain due to arthritis or back-related injuries. And because it is generally done in a warm, humid setting, swimming is often an excellent form of exercise for those who suffer from asthma.

A couple of cautionary notes, however. Whereas anyone starting any exercise-related program should first consult with and get the go-ahead from their health care provider, anyone suffering from a specific or chronic injury or condition should not only consult and get the go-ahead, they should also be monitored by a health care provider throughout any exercise program. And, those suffering from asthma should check and monitor the air-based chlorine levels if they swim at pools, since it has been reported that especially high chlorine levels can irritate respiratory conditions.

Where to go
Of course, swimming for exercise does require a couple of things – the ability to swim, and a relatively large body of water (usually a pool) in which to swim. Fortunately, neither requirement is extremely difficult to meet. Most people learn to swim as children. But even if you didn't, most local YMCAs, YWCAs, and/or Red Cross divisions offer adult swimming lessons at a nominal or relatively inexpensive fee. Indeed, even if you learned to swim as a child, taking a few refresher swimming lessons is not a bad idea. Improved swimming mechanics and a knowledge and mastery of a variety of swimming strokes will generally improve both your enjoyment and the benefits of any swimming-based exercise program.

As for finding a place to swim, that's not terribly difficult either. Many health clubs have (or are affiliated with a club that has) a pool. But, if such is not the case where you live (or this option is too expensive), the pool at most community YMCA and/or YWCA is usually available at a nominal or reasonable fee.

Your health insurance plan may cover the deductible for joining a swim club. If you're active or retired military, you probably have privileges at the base pool. And many communities offer their residents the use of the local high school, junior high school, and/or municipal pool at no cost or a nominal fee. For more specific listings of places where you can swim for exercise near where you live, you can check these websites:

• Swimming in Pittsburgh
• United States Masters Swimming Association

As noted, if you're a beginner (or suffer from a chronic injury or condition), check with your health care provider. Then jump right into your swimming-based exercise program.