You’ve probably heard the proverb that goes, “A dog can learn new tricks.” You can learn anything at any age, including how to swim. Want proof? Marie Kelleher, who didn’t take up swimming until later in life, soon made up for lost time by beginning in her 80s and breaking 14 U.S. National age group records. The oldest American to participate in a United States Masters Swimming competition was Marie in May 2012. She was the only known 100-year-old to compete in the 100-meter freestyle anyplace in the United States at that time.
Given Richmond’s proximity to the James River during the past few decades, there has been an improvement in health awareness. The fact that it has been named the “Best River City” is a terrific incentive to make sure you can benefit greatly from all that it offers. Here are six more justifications for enrolling in adult swimming lessons:
1.) Swimming is a Fantastic Exercise Method
Swimming is a fantastic exercise. It works every muscle in your body and prepares you for subsequent exercises. Even a martial arts program in Richmond includes swimming in its weekly training schedule.
Exercise in the water, particularly in warm water, reduces joint discomfort and improves flexibility. This is because the water softens the blow to your muscles. Studies have revealed that swimming can help with blood sugar regulation. It works because it gives you an aerobic exercise and because the water’s resistance helps you build muscle. Your body’s ability to control blood sugar levels and heart rate is improved as a result of your muscle cells absorbing oxygen and nutrients more effectively.
2.) Swim Instruction Can Help With Mental Health
Swimming is good for your physical health, but it’s also good for your mental and behavioral health. A study on the consequences of learning new things as you become older was undertaken by Dr. Denise Park of the University of Texas. She discovered that learning new, difficult abilities, like swimming, prevents cognitive loss, including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Your brain volume can increase by exercising three days a week for 45 minutes each time.
It’s crucial to look after your mental health. Your body’s immune system can be compromised by stress and anxiety. Swimming is a self-care activity that can be utilized to relieve mental tension. Aquatic exercise is reported to provide the following advantages:
- encourages calm and relaxation
- reduces stress
- enhances posture, balance, and coordination
3. Swimming Improves Self-Confidence
It makes sense that “I’m embarrassed that I can’t swim” is a common justification for skipping swim lessons. Adults find it harder than children to confess ignorance, according to research. On a first date, it would be one thing to pretend to be intelligent. It can be risky to overestimate your swimming prowess. Even though over half of all Americans cannot swim, more than 80% of adults will claim they can, according to a fast Google search.
Recognize that learning to swim will not be accomplished in a day or even a month. In order to have more time to focus, it can be beneficial to look for class structures that have a low student-to-teacher ratio. A station-based program that divides various skills into groups, like SwimRVA’s Swim School, may also be helpful to you.
Keep in mind that learning in a classroom is mostly done to acquire abilities that other students, like you, do not currently possess. They wouldn’t be enrolling in a class if the other pupils were swimming pros. Don’t let the (very unlikely) fear of their criticism prevent you from moving forward. It’s possible that they are too busy establishing their own goals to be concerned about your opinion. Station-based programs are quite helpful in this situation because you’ll be able to celebrate minor wins frequently rather than being preoccupied with an impossible ultimate result. According to a staff member at SwimRVA Swim School:
“[It] offers attainable degrees of skill development. You focus on a small number of tasks at once, and you get to recognize your successes frequently enough to be encouraged.
Private lessons for swimming or semi-private classes are always available if group situations are not your cup of tea. Make sure to look into the choices that your neighborhood swimming pool has to offer. Teachers will frequently even travel to your backyard pool!
4.) Connections can be forged and strengthened in group lessons
Finding people who share your interests and goals in a swim class is much easier when you are in that age range. You’ll soon be able to anticipate seeing certain people in the water at each lesson. Each class may be made that much more pleasurable by having a companion there to share your challenges and victories. That not only improves your mood but also keeps you invested. According to studies, compared to just 6% of those who attend a session with a friend, roughly 40% of individuals abandon a class shortly after it begins. You’ll encourage one another to put in more effort, reaffirm your commitment to attending each session, and discuss your successes (Runtastic). Additionally, by having the opportunity to interact with that classmate who also claims to be terrible at swimming, you are strengthening your resistance against social isolation, which can be both a cause and a symptom of emotional or psychological difficulties.
5.) Learning to swim could save your life
Water fear is a relatively widespread phobia. It’s remarkable, though, how many people who are unable to swim nonetheless interact with big bodies of water throughout the year—going on cruises, attending pool parties, fishing, and other activities—without possessing the necessary lifesaving abilities. For the sake of your health, you need to overcome the fear.
You might not be able to overcome your fear right away. You can even need a few years to enter the ocean. It’s alright. Consider Stasia Kowalski, who is 92 years old. She had a fear of drowning and didn’t learn to swim until she was nearly 40 years old. In her very first swimming competition, she wound up shattering records.
6.) Water Safety Offers Family-Wide Protection
You may not be aware of it, but the children in your life are observing you and copying your behavior. They will learn that safety in the water is not important if you don’t enter the water or communicate your mistrust of vast bodies of water. Few people realize how vulnerable children are to drowning, which is the second most common cause of accidental injury-related mortality for kids under the age of four. Encourage respect for the water by enrolling in lessons and passing down a valuable life skill to the next generation rather than demonstrating a dislike of aquatic pursuits.