Swim for Senior Fitness

Excitement mounted as world-class swimmers gathered at the 2014 Arena Grand Prix at the Santa Clara Swim Center. The Grand Prix was on June 19th-22nd and features 22-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps.

As an international event, the Grand Prix includes swimmers ranging from Mexico to Hong Kong. It was a rare opportunity to watch world class swimmers, including the world’s most decorated Olympian, compete in your own backyard.

It was a great event for the family, and who knows, it may be the start of a beautiful relationship with a new sport. Every modern senior knows that fitness and nutrition are not only beneficial but also quite fun!

Benefits of maintaining a daily fitness routine include:

• Energy. Forget coffee or your daily caffeine intake. A workout activity is the only energy boost you need. You will have more energy throughout the day. Starting the morning with a brisk walk or activity is the perfect jumpstart to your day.
• Happiness. Apart from energy, you also get a dose of happiness for the day. A good workout that keeps your heart pumping releases endorphins throughout your body. This hormone is your natural anti-depressant. It’s no secret that seniors can face loneliness and depression. Be proactive and keep yourself out of that group by having fun with exercise.
• Social. Part of fighting this loneliness can be working out with a companion. It will be more than just a workout: exercising will become social time. Family members and close friends make great exercise partners. You will grow together with each workout.
• Confidence. Part of that growth is setting goals for each session, each week, each month and so forth. Even achieving or surpassing the tiniest goals makes each workout worth it. At the end of the day, you can say you have accomplished something. Soon your confidence will be as prolific as the amount you sweat during each workout.
• Health. This one is a given. From your bones to your heart and anything else in between, a daily fitness routine maintains proper physical health.

So, in keeping with the theme of the weekend, we suggest your modern senior living include swimming.

Why should I swim?

As a low-impact sport, swimming puts no added pressure or weight on your joints or muscles. Newton and his apple wouldn’t have worked out well in the water. In addition, a swim session each morning maintains healthy lungs and heart muscles.

With swimming, you can move at your own pace and still get a good workout. At first, a 25-yard swim may seem like climbing a mountain. Pretty soon, however, it’ll just be a notch in your hour-long lap swim.

Where can I swim?

Many community pools or local YMCAs have swimming pools that are well-maintained and easily accessible. Locker facilities include warm showers to clean and dry off.

Swim facilities also offer water aerobics classes, water Zumba, and other group activities. There are many activities to be had in the water. You will be able to find a program that best fits your interests.

But I don’t know how to swim…

Swim clubs like the Santa Clara Swim Center have Master’s Swim programs that are accommodating for the elderly. In fact, swim coaches can be your not-at-all intimidating personal trainer.

Don’t know how to swim? There are instruction classes that aim to keep you continually improving. And you’ll never be alone. You will be divided based on skill level. And with your new friends in your lap lane, you will all be improving together.

Are you still a little skeptic? Not sure if swimming is right for you?

Well, the last event held at the International Swim Center was the 2014 Nationwide U.S. Masters Swimming Nationals. Competitors’ ages ranged from 18-95 years of age. That’s right, you read that correctly.

The oldest female competitor, aged 92, swam four events totaling 1350 yards. And each event was done at a race pace.

The oldest male swimmer, 95 years young, swam events where he improved his previous recorded times.

It’s safe to say that any swimmer, whether 18 or 95, didn’t get at that level easily. It takes time and patience and motivation. After some practice you will be signing up for these competitions. Maybe you’ll even set a new record for yourself. But the goal is quite simple: just keep swimming.

Swimming is definitely a sport that’s for all ages. Try it out for yourself. You’ll soon figure out what your favorite swim stroke is. You don’t have to be Phelps or Lochte to test the waters. But I’m sure we’ll be seeing both of them at 95, still swimming.

Do you have your own daily workout? Leave a comment below and tell us your thoughts!

About Alert1 Medical Alert Systems:

Alert1 is the leading provider of medical alert systems, keeping seniors safe and independent in their homes since 1988. Have questions? Visit us at www.alert-1.com or give us a call at 1-800-693-5433.