Swimformation
Think you know swimming? Think again!
It is well documented that swimming is a fantastic way of keeping active, but there is still a reluctance from lots people to take the plunge and get in the pool.
Perhaps they aren’t fully aware of the many health and social benefits swimming offers, or they think you need to be a skilled swimmer to enjoy the water?
As part of the #10MillionSwims campaign, we’re working with Swim England to bust the myths surrounding swimming and break down the barriers to participation.
Check out our SWIMFORMATION facts below to find out all the ways that swimming can benefit you.
What can I wear in the pool?
In 2017, we commissioned a nationwide study that revealed one in two mothers in Britain has been …put off taking their child swimming due to fear of being seen in a bathing suit.
We wanted to change this, which is why we introduced a new clothing policy that allows more modest items to be worn over the top of swimwear.
The policy encourages swimmers to wear tight-fitting garments such as leggings, shorts, t-shirts and swim dresses. The guidelines are designed to make swimming more inclusive and tackle some of the barriers that prevent people from taking part.
In the two years since the policy was introduced, we have seen an increase of 630,000 women taking part in swim sessions at Everyone Active pools, and almost 500,000 more junior swimmers.
It has been praised by Olympic champion and mother-of-one, Rebecca Adlington, who knows first-hand how important it is to feel comfortable in the water. The policy has also been used by Swim England as the basis for its own swimwear guidance, helping more people across the country to feel comfortable and confident when taking part in aquatic activity. You can read its recommendations here.
Is swimming an effective way of exercising?
Water is 800 times denser than air. The added resistance means that 30 minutes of swimming is wor…th 45 minutes of the equivalent exercise on land.
Swimming is a very effective form of aerobic exercise. It uses a variety of muscle groups, is gentle on joints and can be maintained continuously for long periods of time.
The added water resistance means that swimming is also a great way to burn calories, and can often burn more than the equivalent land-based activities.
You can use Swim England’s Calorie Cruncher to find out how many calories different swim strokes can burn and how that compares to other popular forms of exercise.
Is swimming relaxing?
Peace and tranquillity may not be the first things that come to mind when you think of a public p…ool, but in fact swimming can be a very relaxing experience.
We host more than 20 different swim sessions across our 120 pools. Each one serves a different purpose, from encouraging families to have fun together to providing a peaceful environment where swimmers can escape the pressures of modern life.
If it’s serenity you’re after, there are also certain times of the day when our pools are quieter. Contact your local Everyone Active centre and our colleagues will be glad to advise you on the best sessions and times to attend.
Is swimming good for my mental wellbeing?
A YouGov poll commissioned by Swim England revealed that swimming had significantly reduced the s…ymptoms of anxiety or depression for 1.4 million adults in Britain. It also reported that more than 490,000 people have reduced, or no longer take, medication for their mental health condition as a result of swimming, and almost half a million British adults with mental health conditions who swim say that they have reduced the number of visits to a medical professional regarding their mental wellbeing as a result of swimming.
Am I too old to learn to swim?
One in five adults in Britain cannot swim. We are determined to improve these statistics by encou…raging more people to start learning in later life.
More than 4,600 adults currently take part in swim lessons every week at Everyone Active. These include people who have never learned, through to those who are looking to improve their skills or technique. Whatever the reason, there is so much to be gained by improving your skills in the water at any age.
We’re currently teaching Olympic medallist, Colin Jackson, and broadcaster and journalist, Naga Munchetty, to learn to swim at the respective ages of 52 and 44. You can follow their journey here.
If it’s inspiration you’re looking for, you can also click here to read about Ann Bannister, who learned to swim at the age of 72.
Is swimming a social activity?
Swimming is often thought of as a solo activity, but there are lots of ways that you can enjoy be…ing active in the water alongside other people.
We run a number of dedicated swimming sessions that encourage whole families to get active together. Our adult and senior sessions also have a social focus, encouraging swimmers to chat and socialise both in the pool and afterwards using our cafes and other communal spaces. Aqua classes are also a great way of getting active as a group, creating a fun and enjoyable atmosphere in the pool.
For full details of all the swimming sessions we run, click here.
Swimming with children is a lot of effort – is it worth it?
We know that getting the children ready for a trip to the pool isn’t always easy and it’s true th…at swimming does require a little more preparation than other activities, especially when you’re packing kit for little ones.
However, we truly believe that the benefits of swimming greatly outweigh this. There is so much to be gained by swimming together as a family. Not only are you all getting active, you are spending quality time together away from screens and other distractions and, perhaps most importantly, helping children to learn a skill that will help to keep them safe throughout their lives.
Our dedicated family swims are geared up to help you have as much fun as possible. They include inflatables, floats and aquatic toys to keep children and adults alike entertained in the water. Click here to find out more about our family swims.
Should I avoid swimming if I’m injured?
Swimming is a gentle but effective form of physical activity. Water supports the body and minimis…es the impact of exercise on joints, making it a great means of physical rehabilitation.
Water resistance also helps to improve the range of movement by strengthening joints and the muscles without putting them under stress and while in the water, your heart rate is around 10-15% less due to the increase in pressure, meaning you can exercise for longer at a steady rate.
All of these factors make swimming an ideal activity for people who are overcoming an injury or who have mobility issues. If you want to use exercise to help in your recovery from or management of a health concern, it is important to consult your GP prior to taking part.
Lindsey had been wheelchair-bound for a decade before regular swim sessions heled her to walk independently again. Listen to her journey here.
After an operation on his back, Jason used swimming as a way of recovering and reclaiming full use of his legs. Read about the difference it has made to his life here.
What impact does swimming have on physical health?
Swimming can support you to build and maintain your physical health. It is also proven to improve… certain medical conditions, including Type 2 diabetes, arthritis and chronic pain.
As a result, Swim England has called for GPs to be more proactive in prescribing physical activity to patients, in the hope that this will encourage more people to make swimming part of a healthy lifestyle.
Swim England has created three short films that share the stories of individuals who have experienced phenomenal physical health benefits as a result of swimming. You can view these stories here.
Isn’t swimming just something you do on holiday?
There are lots of us who only tend to swim where we’re on holiday, but Everyone Active has 120 sw…imming pools that can be enjoyed all year round.
Each pool is fully lifeguarded and provides a safe environment to develop the skills and confidence needed to keep safe in and around water.
Find out more about our swim lessons here.
I can’t use my phone when I’m swimming?
True – but what’s wrong with that?
Digital technology is a big part of our everyday lives, but so…metimes it’s good to take a break. Swimming is one of the few activities where it’s not possible to be looking at a screen while you’re taking part. This means that it provides the perfect escape from the stresses of modern life, and provides us with much-needed head space and time to enjoy to ourselves or alongside other people without the interruption of phones, tablets or consoles.