Instant fun: just add water! |
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Take some active people, place them in pristine surroundings, add some clean, comfortably heated water, and you’ve got the ultimate recipe for fun!
Take the plunge
Swimming is one of the best exercises you can do to strengthen, tone and invigorate your entire body – without putting any stress on your joints. This is just one of the numerous reasons why swimming’s a great way to get and stay active.
Just 30 minutes of steady-paced lane swimming can burn over 200 calories – well over 400 in an hour. And any swimming that makes you breathe more heavily counts as ‘moderate’ activity.
Even treading water takes effort, so you are working most of the time you’re in the pool. Also, the pressure and resistance of the water makes your body work that little bit harder - 30 minutes of activity in the water is worth 45 minutes of the same activity on land.
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Swimming is a great low-impact exercise, because the water takes your weight, so it’s great for people of any age and ability. That’s why pregnant women, or people recovering from injury, or those with mobility problems favour swimming as a form of exercise that won’t put strain on their joints.
Length swimming in particular forces you to breathe in a deep and rhythmic way which gives your lungs a boost – and it’s good for your heart too.
Then there are the psychological benefits too – being in the water is refreshing, relaxing and liberating, and gives you a feeling of weightlessness that can be invigorating.
A great start in life
Early swimming has numerous benefits for children and babies. Apart from being one of the most fun things that you can do with your child, it also encourages fun and learning. It can also help your child to develop confidence and positive self-image.
We offer a wide range of programmes for all ages, starting from as early as 6 weeks for parent and baby classes (up to 18 months), and from 18 months for parent and toddler classes (up to 3 years).
Virgin Active incorporates the National Plan for Teaching Swimming within its swim school programme. This is a structured template for swimming programmes Pre-school classes are aimed at children aged 3 and above. Children complete various levels of performance using the Duckling Awards system. Once they approach the age of 5, children can progress to the National Plan system.
You’re never too old to swim
At Virgin Active, you can put in a few refreshing lengths, an invigorating Aqua Aerobics class, or if you’re looking to improve your technique, sign up for some lessons to pick up valuable tips from our qualified swimming instructors.
It’s never too late to learn how to swim. Our qualified swim instructors will take the fear out of learning to swim, so you can reap the benefits of mastering this valuable life skill. No more sitting out on sailing and snorkeling trips when you go on holiday!
We offer one-on-one swimming lessons for all ages - there is no age restriction. And it’s not just for beginners. Whether you simply want to improve your technique, or learn new strokes and skills, we’ll tailor-make your sessions to suit your individual needs.
Many swimmers have learnt a form of freestyle (also known as crawl), and without proper lessons, they don’t find themselves moving as effortlessly through the water as they would like to. That’s where we come in: by correcting your form and teaching you proper techniques and breathing, bad habits are reversed, and you get more enjoyment from your swimming. Not to mention better results.
Make swimming a part of your daily exercise routine today.
For more information on specific programmes or Aqua Aerobics classes, contact your nearest Virgin Active club.
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