Swimming is one of the best physical fitness exercises available. The buoyancy and low-impact provided by water allows nearly everyone to be able to get healthful exercise. When immersed to the waist, your body bears just 50% of its weight; 25%-35% when immersed to the chest and just 10% when up to the neck. Swimming and other water aerobic activities are often used as rehabilitative therapy, for arthritis sufferers, pregnant women, stress and so much more.
Swimming and aerobic water exercises are extremely useful in toning muscle since water provides 12 times as much resistance as air. Swimming is also a total body workout for both upper and lower body, and uses all the major muscle groups, including the shoulders, back, abdominals, legs, hips, and glutes — making it an ideal cross-training tool. Swimming and water exercise also help develop greater flexibility and strength to focused muscle groups, depending on the exercise, of course.
Finally, swimming requires deep breathing, which promotes circulation. The heart and lungs are aerobically taxes which promotes healthy blood pressure levels. It is an ideal exercise for people who are obese and have trouble with other forms of exercise.