Why Water Workouts Work

Swimming and other aquatic exercises have special benefits

- Beth Weinhouse

IMAGINE FINDING OUT that chocolate cake is the ideal health food. OK, .that's not true. But it is true that something you might only associate with vacations, leisure time and sheer fun is one of the best exercises around.

We're talking about swimming and other aquatic exercises.

Working out while all or partially submerged in water has multiple benefits for both the mind and the body and can be done by almost anyone of  any age at any fitness level. A 30-year observational study at the University of South Carolina found that swimmers had about half the risk of death from any cause over the course of the study compared to participants who were runners, walkers or sedentary.

Swimming is the fourth-mostpopular sports activity in the United States. And you don't have to do the crawl, breast stroke, side stroke or even the dog paddle to get benefits. Water aerobics, pool walking and water workouts with weights are also great ways to get in shape.

Journalist Jackie Duda even credits her pool workouts with giving her back her health and independence after a near-death experience.

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