Swimming consists of four different strokes done in different orders and lengths for timed events to declare who is faster than the other. There are rules around how each stroke needs to be executed properly to not be counted as cheating; from how you spend your time on the blocks at the start to even how you’re supposed to touch the wall, and everything else in between. Try remembering all these technical details while swimming at a high intensity; now do it while holding your breath. What other competitive sport do you know that holds their breath for extended periods of time, over and over again? I can think of biathlons when they shoot between heartbeats or practice breath holding while shooting. But other than that, I can’t think of any. This all sounds crazy, right?
When people approach the thought of wanting to exercise to improve their health and physical fitness, most often people lean towards machines or free weights. That’s an obvious choice because both are simple enough to understand, and there aren’t a lot of technical components involved. If there are some trainers reading this they are going to assume there are a lot of technical components of each exercise and honing in on those details is going to provide the best result. They’re not wrong, but those details can be applied across 99% of exercises if taught correctly, and a trainers real job is for accountability of doing the exercises week-after-week.
When people want more from exercise, they join a team with a purpose. This could be a recreational or competitive sport depending on the level of experience. Take crossfit for example; crossfit does an excellent job creating a community of people by giving them more purpose than just doing a bicep curl or a bench press. They go beyond their boundaries in a variety of movements that are meant to improve daily life, but can expand their emotional boundaries as well to help them learn more about themselves.
(2011; Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois; Elliot is directly behind block #4)
That’s why I need swimming. Swimming pushes my physical and mental boundaries more than any other sport. I explained to someone the other day that swimming terrifies me and it’s the hardest thing I do all week. Imagine getting up early to be in your swimsuit and ready at 6am (it can even be earlier depending on the hours), jump into a cold pool to only endure intense physical and mental challenges that are going to teach you who you really are. And, as if morning routines aren’t difficult in the first place, now you have to travel to the pool and back before you even start your day. That’s a breed of people no one will ever really understand.
Exercising at that level is a whole other ballgame when you eventually stop, and it can become that much further to fall. I know too many swimmers from my past that I have noticed experience issues with their mental and physical health. Swimming taught me to deal with anxiety, depression, and other issues I was going through without me ever knowing. It taught me to eat everything in the fridge so I could get enough calories in for the day as well.
Without swimming, swimmers could be at a higher risk of adopting new unhealthy methods to handle their emotions. Also, the reduction with activity level can affect how much less that person should be eating. If you’re a swammer (post-swimmer), you may have gone through something like this or maybe know someone else who has. In my experience, there are 3 types of people for when their swimming career is over; #1 / people who still swim; #2 / people who struggle with mental health; #3 / and people who struggle with weight. I am not a psychologist, but I have experienced all three types after my career and know people who have experienced the same over my years.
I’ve luckily been back in the pool for almost 2-weeks now after taking some time off to heal my dislocated toe from last year. I was hesitant to go back because of the constant jumping off walls and it seems to be holding up well so far. I’ve spent the majority of my time since tied to my treadmill for daily steps and to use running as a routine method of exercise along with minimal weight training at home to remain strong. While I was happy and content with my treadmill and weight training, it just didn’t fuel my need for something more from exercising. I can now, again, push past mental and physical barriers that other exercises or sports just couldn’t help me with.
Swimming helps me be physically fit, healthy, and happy.
Awesome!! It was great diving with you guys. Let me know when you are in AZ. I have some really unique dive spots that need to be explored. Great video! Great article! Ami Reidar Rentsch
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Yes, just a simple wordpress
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