Sometimes I think the exercise scientists are too obsessed with sport conditioning as the perfect form of exercise. It IS the best exercise if you’re going to participate in competitive sport, but not everybody is
engaged in competitive sport.
Right now, because we’re into summer, I’m concentrating on summer recreational sport – bicycling, golfing and especially swimming. But the exercise scientists downgrade swimming as good exercise because it’s not weight bearing. (Weight bearing exercise simply translates to exercise forms that are done standing.) But you’re getting your weight bearing exercise walking to and from wherever you’re going for a swim so what’s the big deal?
What the exercise scientists miss in their criticism though is the wonderful, relaxation and therapeutic value of swimming. Also, it’s exercise that uses the entire body; there’s movement from fingertips to toes. Feet flutter kick and arms reach forward through the water, one at a time, and the waistline becomes smoothed out because of the muscle stretch action through the center of the body. But the real value is the stress relief that swimming offers.
If you don’t know how to swim, it’s never too late to learn. And if you don’t have access to a body of water, try your community YMCA. Otherwise you can join the league of pretenders and go swimming on the top of your bed every day, duplicating the action of the crawl stroke (as pictured). Safely supported by your bed, you can even go slowly -since there’s no danger of sinking – and exaggerate the stretching movement of the exercise so that you get a little extra benefit from your simulated swim. With an exercise like this simulated swim session you have complete control, for even though you are trying to extend your stroke to the maximum, there is no danger of muscle strain.
After your phony swim on top of your bed, “float” awhile, fully outstretched, totally relaxed, with a delightful feeling of bouyancy. Then please the exercise scientists with a brisk walk around the block.
