Why Snorkeling Is Good For Fitness

by Lake Industries Marketing Consultant

Snorkeling is a fun and unique form of cardiovascular exercise and muscle strengthening. It requires minimal equipment - a mask, snorkel, and sometimes fins (or flippers).

It's especially beneficial for those suffering from joint pain or limited mobility and who struggle to try other forms of exercise. But, even if you don't suffer from joint pain or limited mobility, snorkeling is great exercise! Why?

Snorkeling increases your maximal oxygen uptake, a good indicator of aerobic fitness. Certified swim coach, Pete Spagnuolo, uses snorkels in swim training to improve lung capacity and aerobic fitness in competitive swimmers and tri-athletes. You can buy snorkeling gear online also even if you are not Internet savvy. Let's discuss what kind of benefits it can provide:

Muscle Strengthening

Snorkeling, with or without fins, is a whole body workout. Every movement you make, whether with your arms, legs or back, forces your muscles to push against the natural resistance of the water. If you snorkel with fins, it provides an excellent leg workout because of the increased resistance of the fins against your legs. When diving down to investigate things below the surface, you push your muscles even harder to provide the fast kicking needed to overcome your natural buoyancy.

Low Impact on the Joints

For those who are overweight, snorkeling is the wonderful alternative to running, as the water supports your weight, thus putting less impact on your knees and ankles. Your buoyancy increases in salt/sea water, so you are actually lighter. You still get the same workout swimming around, minus the pressure on the joints.

Motivational Moves

Snorkeling is a relaxing pastime that can help to stimulate, tone, and trim you. Certified personal trainer, Mathue Johnson, says snorkeling works out quads, hamstrings, calves, ankles, hip flexors, the core, and shoulders, and recommends stretching and resistance exercises to condition for snorkeling sessions. Snorkeling is an enjoyable leisure activity that both inspires and confers greater fitness.

Cardiovascular

Snorkeling is also good for your heart's cardiovascular fitness. As you snorkel and your heart rate increases, your heart pumps harder and grows stronger. Improved cardiovascular fitness is thoroughly worthwhile, as it helps decrease the risk of certain health problems such as coronary heart disease, heart failure, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Snorkeling also helps you assemble substantial lung capacity, when you are forced to hold your breath underwater for extended periods of time.

Arm Strokes

A systematic arm stroke includes a powerful, degree arm catch through the water, a relaxed arm carriage above the water, and keeping one arm out in front of you all the time. The snorkel helps you practice stroke drills that zero in on each of these elements and eliminate your need for side breathing. Side breathing can directly alter your stroke by altering your body position. It also can indirectly cause you to lose arm efficiency by increasing fatigue. Using the snorkel allows you to do arm drills such as catch-up freestyle swimming, while preserving your body position and core rotation mentioned earlier.

Mental Health

Exercise, including snorkeling, can help relieve stress and anxiety. Exercise of all kinds releases endorphins that make you feel better, as well as increases self-confidence. But, snorkeling takes mental health benefits even farther. Managing mouth breathing required of snorkelers is similar to many of the meditative breathing techniques that seek to relax and calm the body. Snorkeling regularly may help you feel calmer and at ease through simple relaxation.

Phobia

Snorkeling is great for overcoming that dive phobia since you can stand up at any time. Through snorkeling, you get a better understanding of what wearing a mask and breathing through your nose feels like. If at any time you feel claustrophobic, just stand up! Easy right. Keep going until you feel comfortable, then slowly venture out into the sea.

Snorkeling is one of the most relaxing, fascinating, and fun sports that anybody can practice. You can admire the beauties of the underwater world without needing any special skills. It is a great activity for those who want to enjoy a relaxing vacation, and it is a great way to stay fit and healthy. Like any water-based exercise, snorkeling has the benefit of providing health exercise for your entire body.