According to Statistic Brain, losing weight and getting healthy is the most common New Year’s resolution with 21.4% of people planning on hitting the gym and cutting out fatty foods in 2017. However, with the same site showing that just 37.8% of people succeed in their resolutions, it’s important you come up with a winning strategy if you don’t want to end up missing your goals in the coming twelve months.

According to Business Insider, one thing that puts aspiring athletes off more than anything else is fear of the pain and discomfort that come with a full on workout. This is where swimming can make a huge difference. More enjoyable, less gruelling and just as beneficial as a trip to the gym, swimming could be the key to making your New Year’s resolutions succeed once and for all.

Swimming has it all

Like @ASAaquatics says, swimming “Has the power to give your muscles a makeover, transform you into a cardio king, turn back the clock, and calm you quicker than a secluded beach in the Bahamas.” It’s this combination of exercise, relaxation, and results that makes swimming so beneficial and so appealing to those who want to get fit and have fun. Though going to the pool, getting changed, getting wet and then getting dressed again may seem like a lot of effort, once you get into the habit, you’ll be in and out before you know it.

Full body workout

Unlike other forms of exercise, swimming works every muscle in the body. Whether you’re doing a few casual laps of breaststroke, or going full pelt doing front crawl, every muscle in your body will be in use – helping you to lose weight, tone up and get fit. What’s more, as exercising in water requires more effort than it does on land, you’ll burn as many calories in 30 minutes in the pool as you would in 45 minutes of a similar paced workout in the gym.

Relaxation

Regular sessions in the pool have been shown to lower stress levels, reduce anxiety and depression, and improve sleep quality. Just 30 minutes of swimming, three times a week, could have a significant impact on your mental well being, helping you to feel more relaxed and more able to cope with the challenges of everyday life.

Boost your energy levels

Though it may seem counter intuitive, often the less active you are, the more tired you feel. This is because exercise boosts your metabolic activity, helping you to feel more energised, and making it easier to hit your workout goals.

As well as these important benefits, exercising in water can also help you to lose weight, reduce your risk of developing lifestyle related diseases, and make it easier to get back into exercise following an injury.

To find out about the many other health benefits of water, take a look around our site today.