Alot of people have the misconception that swimming gives you muscles instead of giving you the body you'd always dream of. However, this is quite the contrary.

I'd never liked running or other forms of exercise which makes me perspire. Or rather, I should say I've outgrown the age where I love to run in the sun (I used to love running, basketball and love to be out in the sun and to perspire!). That's why I'm only left with swimming which I depend on mainly to keep my weight in check.

Done some research over the Internet and here are some of the benefits of swimming and why swimming is more effective and less damaging than other forms of vigourous exercises.

1. Water makes movement harder, as it adds resistance to movement. When you swim, it is estimated that it takes twice as much strength to move in when compared to moving through air. In addition, when you swim you will encounter resistance no matter which way your arms or legs are moving, be it up, down, or sideways.



2. The resistance encountered as you swim is not as strenuous on your ligaments and joints. Swimming is a low-impact exercise that still requires you to exert significant amounts of energy and force to move. Running, on the other hand, is a very high-impact exercise that can create and cause problems to occur both in the short run and the long run. Running a marathon is actually the worse thing that one could have done to their body, and the doctors and physical therapists will all agree and suggest strongly that they do not run any more but to take up swimming instead.



3. Swimming burns calories at a rate of 3 calories a mile per pound of bodyweight. This happens in both a regular pool and a lap pool. Remember, you will not get the same amount of calories burn with swimming as you would biking or running, but you will still get other great benefits, again with little or no negative impact on your body.



4. Regular swimming will increase your muscle strength and endurance. Swimming will not give you a body-builder body, it will give you a swimmer's body. In other words, swimming will give you a toned, healthy body.



5. Swimming builds strength against disease and strengthens your heart. When you swim (be it in a lap pool or regular pool) you will be building your heart muscles, which help you pump blood through your body more effectively, increasing your blood circulation and overall health.



6. Swimming can be used as a form of meditation. Many people find it very relaxing to swim. Letting your mind relax and wander, focusing only on the rhythmic beat of your stroke can be a very powerful and healthy way that people meditate. It will take time and training, but can be accomplished much more in swimming than other recreational activities since your body temperature does not rise as much in swimming as it does in other activities, since swimming by nature is a cool, relaxing activity that promotes proper breathing.