Enhance Your Swimming Competence With These Swimming Resources

Swimming is the second most preferred exercise activity in the United States. One of the reasons for its popularity is that people from young to very old can engage in it. Swimming helps the body and mind in many ways. It provides a way to burn lots of calories, is rather easy on the joints as the water supports the body weight, and builds endurance and muscular strength. Everyone can get a great cardio workout with swimming, and swimming during hot, long summers will help to keep people cool and comfortable.

Swimming has been with us for a long time. History reveals to us that Egyptians drew hieroglyphics of individuals swimming as far back as 400BC. The Romans additionally engaged in swimming in their time. They constructed large swimming pools or bathhouses that were used for exercise and socialization. Throughout the Middle Ages, knights actually needed to take part in swimming to enable them to get ready for a battle. Organized swimming came about in England, Germany, France, and the U.S. in the late 1800s when swimming associations were set up to promote and compete in the sport. Competitive swimming continued to grow in the 1800s until it was included in the Olympic Games in 1896 in Athens. Examples of the swimming strokes permitted in the Olympics were the breast and backstroke. The butterfly stroke was also included in the Olympics at a later time. Interestingly enough, women were not allowed to swim competitively until the 1900s. The year 1912 was when women obtained the opportunity to actively compete in the Olympics.

In post-war U.S., if a town had a population of more than 20,000 people, then a public swimming pool was built to provide summer recreation and enjoyment. After that, many of these pools became the home of a great number of swimming associations and clubs. Children and young adults have long been well known to love swimming. There have been many programs in both high schools and universities across the nation that have helped to promote the sport. Many students have trained in these programs to participate in competitions across cities, states and even nationally.

It is commonly believed that in order to compete at any level in the sport that you'll need to have as many swimming resources as you can afford. Getting the very best trainers and equipment will help you to participate in a competitive manner in swimming. There are numerous swimming resources out there available for people of any level from the competitive beginner to the experienced athlete. Aside from the obvious top-of-the-line gear and great coaches, there are also energy supplements and foods available as well. There are also many books available on the Internet swimming sites that will help you in your desire to either participate in a competitive manner or just improve your personal swimming exercise abilities.

Many of these resources will stress the importance of proper preparation and warm-up prior to diving into the pool to swim and exercise. Unlike many other sports, swimming is a sport that even elderly people can take part in at whatever level fits their abilities. It improves tone and cardio ability, both essential benefits for older people. Make the most of all the swimming resources that are widely accessible in order to become a better swimmer, whether for personal fitness or competition.