Why swimming is good for you...

Swimming is one of the few ways of getting exercise that improves your all-round fitness because it can boost strength, stamina and flexibility all at the same time. You can look at it as having all the cardiovascular benefits of running, but with some of the strength-building effects of weight training and some of the limberness-promoting effects of dance classes.

Swimming uses all the major muscle groups, and is a demanding aerobic exercise that helps to keep your heart and lungs healthy. Swimming also helps to keep your joints flexible, especially in the neck, shoulders, hips and groin as your limbs and body move through the water.

You can increase your level of physical activity by swimming and therefore increase the amount of energy you burn up - a vital component of a weight management program.