Generally proper rest is just as important as the workout itself. This is different for everyone both physically and for other reasons. Plus I love the feel of the water and the feeling of accomplishment that doing it every day gives me. That said, the benefits I've gotten from swimming I could have 'probably' gotten from an eliptical, a bike, ect. I discovered that swimming is the thing I enjoy the most, so I want to swim everyday, but I wonder if it's a good idea.
. I resumed swimming for a month now, and I'm enjoying it so much. I'm a beginner, but I already know the basics (I learned as a kid, decades ago, I swam from 3 to 12 years old). Swimming is also calming and meditative, as the sound of your breathing and the water rushing by helps you focus inward and drown out all other distractions. But I'll be 100% honest; I've always loved swimming. I am like a little kid when it comes to swimming (28 years old) so its fun for me. I have COPD and swimming has helped tremendously. I would utilize swimming in 1 of 2 ways. This lowers stress and depression naturally. And I was able to discontinue one expensive inhaler ($100 out of my pocket every month). To meet fun with cardio is a great combination. My lung doctor is just shocked at how much better I can breathe. Research also shows that swimming can reverse damage to the brain from stress through a process called hippocampal neurogenesis. [5] As a power lifter I swim twice a week. Doing moderate intensity for longer periods of time will increase your appetite severely, and ultimately your BF. But, that's not why I swim. Either a very LISS type swim after a resistance training workout (or off day), or a very difficult HIIT type swim. For example, if going every other day leads to only going one a week and then not at all, you should probably go every day and just have hard days and recovery "easy" days.
I love it.