10 Reasons you Need Swimming Lessons

November 28th, 2009 No Comments   Posted in Sports And Fitness
Swimming lessons are an essential part of a child’s education, and whether they learn to swim at school, or at private lessons, being able to swim increases confidence, and can become an enjoyable and healthy total fitness hobby.

For adults who have never learnt to swim, or for those who haven’t been swimming for a long time, why not learn to swim today? Swimming lessons aren’t just for children.

Here are 10 reasons to book swimming lessons, and learn to swim today

1) Swimming lessons, and ultimately being able to swim brings many benefits, such as feeling safe near water, and enjoying being by the swimming pool and feeling confident enough to try other water sports perhaps whilst on holiday. Imagine being able to water ski, or sail a boat, or go sea fishing. Even just being on the beach or investigating rock pools requires a certain level of water safety, especially where children are concerned.

2) Many swimming pools and swimming clubs offer swimming lessons to children as young as 3. Your child is likely to enjoy learning to swim, and will experience a great sense of achievement as they progress from the first moments away from the side of the pool, swimming without armbands, and gaining badges and certificates. Swimming lessons for children are usually around 30 minutes long each, and parents can often spectate.

3) If you didn’t have swimming lessons as a child, you may think that you have missed out on being able to swim, but this needn’t be the case as swimming lessons aren’t just for children. Many clubs have at least one swimming pool, so that you can incorporate your swimming lessons into your fitness routine. If your children are having swimming lessons at school you might want to take them swimming outside of school. If you haven’t swum for many years and you don’t feel confident, you may want to consider organising your own swimming lessons, so that you and your children will benefit.

4) Swimming sessions are often available for parents and children, so that children can get used to the water and build up their confidence before embarking on swimming lessons. Water skills are invaluable, and can be learnt at a very early age. Having fun in the pool is the most important aspect of these sessions, and the emphasis is on playing with toys and games rather than actually learning to swim.

5) Swimming provides many health benefits and a good low impact cardio vascular workout. Swimming is often recommended for those people who are recovering from injury or an operation, as well as those who are unable to undertake other forms of exercise. Swimming can be used as part of a rehabilitation routine, or as a water workout total fitness programme by itself.

6) A water workout is an exercise regime that is carried out in the pool without a swimming instructor. Instead swimming lessons showing exercises and required equipment are on cards so that the swimmer can work through the exercises at their own pace.

7) If you are a confident swimmer, then maybe you are considering swimming lessons to improve your technique. Expert swimming instructors can iron out any posture or stroke issues, and help you swim better. These lessons are longer, and it will be expected that the swimmer is already able to swim.

8) When choosing swimming lessons, it is important that you and/or your child feel comfortable with the environment and the swimming instructors. If the pool is dirty and has cracked tiles, then maybe you will think that the standard of swimming lessons provided may not be too high. Some people prefer their swimming lessons to be taught by their own swimming teacher, rather than be in a group. Having the instructor’s full attention can lead to quick progress, and any problem areas can be addressed straight away, but there are no others to swim with. If you feel that you or your child would learn best this way, why not see if your swimming pool offers one to one individual swimming lessons.

9) Swimming lessons should ideally lead to certification, such as the ASA awards, so that there is record of progress. Progression leads to confidence and shows how far they have progressed. Also, if you change club, the new instructors will be able to see the ability level and ensure that you are in the right group.

10) A swimming school should employ CRB checked, ASA qualified instructors who are skilled and experienced in providing swimming lessons for all different ages and abilities. Having the capability to communicate effectively is important when teaching both children and adults. The swimmer wants to progress, and the teacher wants their pupil to progress.

Swimming lessons can provide you and your child with new found confidence and skills which could save a life, and will last for life. As well as being a fantastic form of exercise, swimming is great fun and a rewarding hobby. Why not find out more about swimming lessons today, and see what you’re missing out on?


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By: Matthew J James

About the Author:

Total Fitness Swimming Lessons are available for all Total Fitness members, and follow the ASA National Teaching Plan. Sign up for lessons today.

Learning to Swim As an Adult – Swimming Lessons For All Ages

June 26th, 2009 No Comments   Posted in Sports And Fitness
Some kids learn to swim before they can walk, probably because they have parents who like to spend a lot of time in the water so naturally they take the kids swimming. Kids whose parents don't swim are pretty likely to learn to swim at an older age than kids whose parents do swim. And some kids never learn to swim and become adults who can't fully enjoy pool or beach parties, or evening swimming with their own kids.

A good way to avoid this situation is to take adult swimming classes. A good place to look for adult swimming classes is your local YMCA or YWCA. These classes are a great place for an adult to learn to swim in the presence of other adults in the same situation, and they're usually pretty affordable compared to other facilities' swimming lessons.

Most of the classes "at the Y" will be broken down into groups of adults of different skill levels, from the person who's nervous in the water and doesn't like to get her face wet to the person who can swim a little but wants to feel more confident in the water and get some expert swimming instruction.

A beginner will be taught how to handle himself in the water, from the way to hold his body, to how to breathe and how to hold the limbs when attempting to float. Swimming classes like this will usually have practice sessions where everyone puts his or her face in the water and then lifts to breathe before trying it again. It's a very gentle way to get used to being in the water and starting to feel comfortable with it.

Intermediate swimming lessons are for the adult who can swim a little or who needs to brush up on rusty swimming skills. And most facilities will offer some type of private swimming classes at a higher cost. Some adults simply feel more comfortable with private instruction. And some are too afraid of the water to be in a group while submerging his or her face or trying to float. They can learn to swim with this option.

Many adults who have always been unable or unwilling to learn to swim get interested in taking swimming lessons when they have kids of their own. Look in your local area for combined classes where adults can learn at the same time as their kids. Even if your kids can already swim a little, all kids should take swimming lessons and learn the basics properly to be able to take care of themselves in the water, so there's no better time to learn to swim for yourself.

And if you have a small child, parent/infant or parent/toddler swimming classes may be available. The younger children are exposed to the water, the more likely they'll grow up to be strong swimmers who enjoy the water. These types of swimming lessons can not only teach you to swim, but provide great bonding time for you and your child.


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By: Antony Black

About the Author:
Antony Black has been teaching swimming classes in Miami for adults and children of all ages for 10 years at British Swim School. He has lived in London and US but his favorite thing to do is to teach Miami swimming lessons to children at the premier Miami Swim Schools

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