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Learn to swim safely and how to swim

From the fun splash of small children to the demanding competitive sport: swimming is a diverse and healthy sport that provides joy of movement among young and old people. Of course, there is a long way between the first swimming attempts and the competitive sport, but the basis of any movement in the water is the ability to swim safely.

Anyone who wants to swim in a swimming pool or in natural waters should be able to move confidently and safely in the water. Furthermore, knowing the general swimming rules is necessary to avoid endangering yourself and others. In the following guide, you will learn everything about safe behaviour in swimming pools and open waters, learning how to swim for children and the benefits of swimming for health and fitness.

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Why is swimming so healthy - Reasons for swimming

From water familiarisation at a young age to the first swimming lessons and performance-oriented swimming training: swimming is a vital life skill, but it's also a lot of fun and offers the opportunity for an effective full-body workout.

Health benefits of swimming

If you look at the numerous benefits of swimming, it becomes clear why it is worthwhile for people of all age groups and fitness levels to go swimming regularly:

  • Complete training: different muscle groups are activated during swimming, while joints, tendons and ligaments are relieved. A varied swimming workout builds both strength and endurance. Furthermore, specific swimming techniques train precise muscle coordination, which in turn also has a positive impact on our ability to concentrate.

  • Reduce stress: the change from everyday life and the opportunity to switch off and concentrate only on moving in the water can balance out stress. As with many sports, this can recharge energy levels.

  • Social contacts: whether you regularly swim relaxed with a group of friends and chat while doing so or enjoy the sense of community in a swimming club: Individual goals in sports can be combined with a friendly togetherness.

  • Personal achievements: on the other hand, swimming is a sport where you can work towards your own success in a highly concentrated way as a "solo fighter". Swimming courses and training can also support these personal goals.

  • Perfect complement: swimming is suitable as a compensation for high-impact sports or as a complement to other sports when, for example, mobility or fitness should be improved.

  • Suitable for all ages: depending on the performance level and age, the workout intensity can also be adjusted. Swimming is particularly recommended for seniors, as the training can be designed to be gentle on the joints and low impact. However, it is necessary to learn the right technique.

Swimming training for all ages

Even toddlers can gain initial experience with the element of water during water familiarisation. Swimming lessons usually start in primary school at the latest, where children can also earn their first swimming badges. From courses for beginners, there is usually a transition to more performance-oriented junior training. But whether as a leisure sport or a competitive sport - the numerous positive effects on physical and mental health quickly become obvious.

Children, adult non-swimmers, or already experienced swimmers benefit equally from regular swimming workouts or membership in a swimming club: constant development and consolidation of swimming skills will eventually also increase safety in the water.

Swimming as a sport

Swimming is an effective full-body workout that strengthens your muscles and protects your joints at the same time. It quickly becomes obvious that a regular visit to the swimming pool is a good balance to everyday life and keeps you fit. To feel the benefits for your health, you don't necessarily have to do competitive swimming. Swimming provides the right workout for every age group and every level of fitness: whether you just want to relax and swim a few laps or increase your stamina and strength, swimming gives a boost to everyone. Our article shows the health benefits of swimming and describes how to get started with the sport. We also give an insight into the different swimming techniques that you can learn at the swimming school.

Swimming disciplines techniques

Baby swimming - Water familiarisation for your child

Special water familiarisation courses enable your baby to have its first playful and cautious experiences in the water and open up completely new possibilities of movement. The intensive but careful contact between parent and child strengthens the bond. But baby swimming can also have positive effects on the physical and motor development of babies. Important information on water familiarisation, the benefits of baby swimming, choosing the right equipment and courses can be found in the article baby swimming.

Baby swimming

Etiquette in the swimming pool

Whether you're relaxing in the pool or concentrating on your training, there are a few rules that you should follow for a safe and considerate swimming experience. In addition to good hygiene, you should also know and observe safety measures to be able to react confidently when swimming daily as well as in exceptional cases. This way, swimmers of all age groups can enjoy their time in the pool. Our article explains the etiquette in the swimming pool and the general swimming rules of the International Life Saving Federation of Europe (ILSE).

Swimming pool rules and etiquette

Right swimming behaviour in open waters

When it's warm and sunny, many enthusiastic swimmers are drawn to open waters such as lakes, rivers, or the sea. As inviting or idyllic as these waters are, however, they also pose special risks. Their conditions are very different from the usual environment of the indoor swimming pools, which can be challenging even for experienced swimmers. In addition to the generally applicable swimming rules, it is therefore important to observe some further safety instructions. Above all, you should always keep an eye on children and less experienced swimmers. In this article, you will learn how to prepare for a swimming day in open waters, what safety rules you should follow and about the hidden risks that can exist in inland and coastal waters.

Safety advice for open water swimming

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References:

https://myswimpro.com/blog/2019/11/13/10-health-benefits-of-swimming/
(accessed on 07.02.2022)

https://www.bupa.co.uk/newsroom/ourviews/benefits-of-swimming
(accessed on 07.02.2022)

https://www.insider.com/benefits-of-swimming
(accessed on 07.02.2022)

https://www.seniorlink.com/blog/6-benefits-of-swimming-for-seniors
(accessed on 07.02.2022)

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