Dive In

What Should You Do When Cycling, Running and Aerobics Prove to Be Dull? Nicole Newman Decided to Suit Up and Take the Plunge.

- Nicole Newman

I’ve never been one to exert too much effort when it comes to exercise. I like to think that mine is the ‘less is more’ approach in the fitness department. My weekly training consisted of going to the gym, hopping on a bike, and sitting there for 30 minutes with the lowest effort level possible applied. I used to people-watch from my position and envy those who seemed to be so into their workout, training with a purpose, lifting weights or running on the treadmill.

Scanning over the classes and personal trainers, it was the swimming pool that piqued my interest. The first three lanes were taken up by what looked like a swimming squad (this didn’t do my anxiety levels any favours), but the rest were swimming (pardon the pun) with people who seemed at peace. I watched a tad jealously as they raised and dropped their arms into the water, completing length after length in their stroke of choice. It’s worth noting that swimming is an all-round fitness activity: it builds endurance, strengthens muscles and increases cardiovascular health.