15 Reasons Swimming Is a Great Sport for Kids and Adults
Every sport has its strengths, but few combine fitness, a life-saving skill and something you can do from toddlerhood to old age. Here are fifteen reasons swimming stands out.
For safety
1. It is a life skill
Swimming is the only sport that can directly help save your life or someone else's. The World Health Organization lists teaching swimming and water safety skills among the ways to prevent drowning.
2. It builds water confidence for the whole family
When everyone can swim, pools, beaches and holidays become more relaxing, though close supervision of children is always essential. See our water safety tips.
For health and fitness
3. It works the whole body
Arms, shoulders, back, core and legs all work together in every stroke.
4. It is low impact
The water supports your weight, so there is little pounding on the joints. That suits people with joint pain, larger bodies and older adults.
5. It builds heart and lung fitness
Steady swimming is aerobic exercise and counts towards the WHO recommendation of 150 to 300 minutes of moderate activity a week for adults. See is swimming an aerobic exercise?
6. It is adjustable for every fitness level
The same pool can host a gentle recovery swim or a hard interval session. You control the effort.
7. It is cool exercise in a hot climate
In Singapore's heat, exercising in water is often more comfortable than running or playing outdoor sports.
For every age and stage
8. You can start young
Children can start lessons from around age one, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. See the best age to learn swimming.
9. You can start late
Adults learn to swim at every age. Read five myths about learning to swim as an adult.
10. You can keep going for life
Many people swim well into their seventies and beyond. Our senior swimming course welcomes older learners.
11. It is inclusive
Swimming can be adapted for people with physical or developmental differences. See our special needs swimming course.
For the mind and social life
12. It helps many people relax
Rhythmic breathing and time away from screens make swimming calming for many people. See swimming and mental health.
13. It offers clear goals
From the first float to the first 1 km swim, or SwimSafer stages for children, there is always a next milestone.
14. It is social
Group lessons, clubs and family swims make it easy to swim with others.
For practicality
15. It is accessible in Singapore
Singapore has public swimming complexes across the island, and many condominiums have their own pools. All you need is a swimsuit, goggles and, for lessons, a coach.
Is swimming really the best sport?
The best sport is the one you enjoy and keep doing. But for a combination of safety, fitness and lifelong participation, swimming is hard to beat. Ready to start? See our kids swimming course, adult swimming course or all swimming courses.
More in health and wellbeing
- How to prevent cramps while swimmingWhy cramps happen and what to do if one hits in the water
- Swimming vs cyclingWhich is the better workout for you?
- Swimmer's earCauses, symptoms and how to prevent it
- Swimming injuries7 common problems and how to avoid them
Sources
- World Health Organization, Drowning fact sheet. Teaching school-age children swimming and water safety skills is among the measures that prevent drowning.
- World Health Organization, Physical activity fact sheet. Adults: 150 to 300 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a week.
- American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org), Drowning prevention recommendations. Swim lessons can start after a child turns 1.
Ready to start swimming?
Tell us the learner's age, their swimming experience and anything the instructor should know. We will suggest a suitable course, format and pool. Lessons run at public swimming complexes, private venues and condominium pools across Singapore.