Photo: Andrew-Hyde / Flickr

If you’re looking to trim off inches, lose some weight and get fitter, start swimming. Swimming burns calories, exercises every muscle in your body without stressing your joints and boosts your metabolism. Look at swimming superstars Natalie Coughlin and Charlene Wittstock, Prince Albert of Monaco’s fiancé, to see what getting in the water can do to streamline your figure.

Swimmers trimmer

The good news is that, to benefit from swimming, you don’t have to be an Olympic medalist. Researchers at Indiana University compared non-swimmers with those who swim casually for fitness and found that the swimmers – of all ages – had trimmer waists and hips and more lean muscle.

Swap the treadmill for the pool

While swimming may not be as convenient as running, which you can do anywhere as long as you have your running shoes with you, anyone who goes to a well-equipped gym can easily swap the treadmill for the pool. All you’ll need is some swimwear, a swimming cap and a pair of goggles.

How water works

Swimming is such a great exercise because it has a double whammy effect on your body: it burns loads of calories while helping you build muscle. The new muscle you build when swimming then, in turn, helps you burn more calories.

Swimming can burn between 500 and 700 calories an hour, depending on how hard and fast you swim. Because water is much thicker than air, resistance makes your body work harder than if you were on land. Swimming is especially good for your core muscles, glutes, arms and shoulders.

Hard on fat, soft on your body

While swimming is a serious workout, it’s gentle on your body. Because water neutralises gravity, you’re almost weightless when swimming. This means your joints aren’t under any stress and you can swim to your heart’s content without injuring yourself.

For the same reason, swimming is excellent exercise for any age.

Tags: exercise, keeping fit, swimming, weight loss