A SPORT OF SWIMMING IS FULL OF BENEFITS

 A SPORT FULL OF BENEFITS

In addition to those mentioned, water sports have another long list of benefits:

• As there is no joint load (the body floats in the water), the risk of injury is minimized. You can jump and run safely with Lifeguard Training.
• Promotes blood circulation and drainage. The same pressure that the water exerts when submerging us and the movement of the water itself, helps us feel lighter and reduce fluid retention.
• It is relaxing and for this reason, the practice of fashionable activities has been transferred to the aquatic environment, such as aqua-yoga or aqua-pilates.
• Although it strengthens the heart, it reduces the effort of the same exercise performed on land. Everyone can practice some exercise in the water.
• Due to the resistance exerted by the water, certain movements and fitness exercises are very effective without having friction in the joints.
• Swimming increases lung capacity and cleanses the lungs by bringing more blood into the bloodstream.
• It inhibits the production of cortisol (the hormone that causes stress), by dilating the superficial vessels throughout the body.
• It promotes sleep and rest and is practiced at any age.

FLOATING, THE NEW ANTI-STRESS THERAPY

These are the treatments around the water that are performed in different spas and resorts.

The Watsu (shiatsu in the water)

It is a form of passive aquatic gymnastics where the instructor gently moves the person who is floating in a heated pool, with elegant and fluid movements while listening to relaxing music. Movements through the water provide a gentle stretch to all ranges of the spine and extremities. Juan Morales, a specialist in aquatic therapies at the Sha Wellness Clinic, explains that, with watsu, pain and anxiety are reduced, the nervous system is calmed and it has profound effects on the neuromuscular system, increasing muscle activity as it reduces its tension. Centers: Sha Welleness Clinic (Albir, Alicante) and Villapadierna Thermas (Carraca, Malaga)

The power of mineral-medicinal waters

The Water Palace of the Balneario de Mondariz (Pontevedra), is a medicinal SPA that is committed to floating as one of the natural remedies against stress and chronic pain. In its different spaces of indoor and outdoor pools, the body is abandoned to the rhythm of water full of large amounts of mineral salts that increase buoyancy, losing the notion of body weight. "By immersing yourself in these baths, your body achieves a deep physical and mental relaxation thanks to the elimination of external stimuli such as gravity, light, sound, and touch", recommends Amalia Gallego, communication director of the Spa.

According to the hydrologist, Lorena Vela (medical director of the Caldes de Boí Spa, Lérida), activities in the water reduce stress, muscular tension, heart and respiratory rhythm, anxiety, fatigue, or chronic pain. "In addition, the immune system is strengthened and physical recovery is accelerated, increasing the feeling of well-being."

BEYOND AQUAGYM, THIS IS THE LAST LETTER OF CLASSES IN THE WATER

Aquaphysical

Although spinning in the water is still practiced in many gyms, the new aquatic discipline that has just arrived from the United Kingdom is called Aquaphysical.

"The exercises are performed on a floating mat that has derived from the combination of surfing and paddle surfing. This new modality can be performed both outdoors and in an indoor pool and mixes typical fitness exercises (squats, abdominals...) with Pilates or yoga. All this is executed in balance on a specific mat. You will spend between 700 and 800 calories per session!", Says Marta Rico Nicolás, director of the swimming area of ​​the David Lloyd sports club (Aravaca, Madrid).

Art of swimming

This method transfers the Alexander Technique to the water, created at the beginning of the 20th century, based on body education to gain ease of movement.

A century later, the swimmer Steven Shaw, after a serious neck and back injury, devised the Art of Swimming, which teaches that the important thing is not to swim faster but to improve the quality of each movement. In this way, a correct body alignment is achieved, breathing better and gaining resistance and speed. His mother was one of his best students and thus his health improved. At 67, he learned to swim the front crawl, and now, at 75, he swims 1.5 kilometers a day.

Holmes Place Gyms recommend practicing this technique for 6 weeks (2 days/week) to achieve optimal results. Improve posture and quality of your movements in and out of the water, reduce stress, overcome back pain and increase lung capacity.

aquatint

In this type of gymnastics in the pool, high-intensity interval training is performed that consists of cardiovascular work, strength, and resistance.

The advantage of doing it in the water compared to doing it dry is that this reduces the risk of injury but the resistance of the water makes it more intense. In addition, the compression of the water promotes circulation and reduces the effort on the heart.