EXERCISE OPTIONS: SWIMMING

If you have the strength and skill, continuous lap swimming in the crawl or breaststroke can be an ideal exercise since it conditions

several muscle groups and works the heart and lungs without any harmful impact on muscles, tendons, or bones. And the benefits

of regular swimming are aesthetic as well as healthful: In addition to providing excellent cardiovascular conditioning, swimming develops

muscles in the chest, arms, shoulders, and legs to give you very well-balanced proportions.

If you don't yet swim well enough for an extended workout, consider taking lessons to improve your technique, and supplement your time

in the pool with regular walking or other aerobic exercise. It's not as easy as it may seem to make swimming an effective aerobic workout if

you're simply used to taking the occasional dip in the pool, lake, or ocean: As with any exercise, to be aerobically effective it must be kept up

for the right amount of time and at the right intensity. So if you need practice, lessons, or just a place to swim, check with your local YMCA or

YWCA, health clubs, community colleges, and municipal recreation areas for information on pools, instruction, and endurance swim programs.

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WEIGHT LOSS/BODY-BUILDING