With the highly anticipated live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid due to release this week, many will be flocking to the big screen to catch a glimpse of their favourite Disney princess, Ariel, played by Halle Bailey.
However, it is not just the theatres that are likely to see an influx of new visitors this summer.
I spoke to Isaac Robertson, Co-Founder and Chief Editor of online fitness resource Total Shape who believes that the new Disney release is likely to inspire a new generation of young people to get into swimming.
“Halle Bailey has already struck a chord with children and adults alike, who feel she is the perfect choice to play the underwater princess,” he says.
“And since many children aspire to be just like their favourite Disney princess, hopefully, this movie will encourage a new generation of people to take up swimming, which is a great all-around activity for your physical and cardiovascular health.”
“In fact, Halle Bailey reported being in the best shape of her life during the filming of the movie, in which she undertook ‘mermaid training’ both in the water and up on harnesses, in order to achieve the fitness and core strength required to play Ariel.”
Isaac Robertson has outlined some of the important health benefits of swimming below, as well as which strokes burn the most calories for adults looking to lose weight this summer.
What are the health benefits of swimming?
- It is low impact
Swimming is the perfect workout for those with injuries or sore joints, as it gets your heart rate up slowly and puts less pressure on your joints.
It also makes it an accessible workout for all age groups, especially the elderly, who may otherwise struggle with high-impact exercises.
- Build muscle and strength
When swimming, you utilize your stomach, arms, legs, and torso, and engage your most significant muscle groups. Swimming can tone your muscles due to the added resistance created by pushing through the water.
Swimming develops your lower, core, and upper muscles simultaneously, providing you with full-body exercise that offers more overall muscular definition than other forms of cardio such as jogging.
- Cardiovascular benefits
Swimming can help prevent heart disease and improve overall cardiovascular health. Studies have shown that swimming for 30 minutes three times a week can considerably lower blood pressure levels, reduce low-density cholesterol (the bad kind) and raise high-density cholesterol levels (the good kind).
- Reduces body fat
While this should only apply to adults looking to lose weight, regular swimming will increase your overall calorie expenditure, which will burn fat, provided your calorie intake remains the same.
The water provides resistance to your body during swimming, allowing a greater potential for calories burned compared to other workouts. Swimming will also build muscle, which also speeds up our metabolism and can promote further weight loss.
According to one study by the National Center for Biotechnology, middle-aged women who swam for an hour three times a week lost a considerable amount of body fat within only 12 weeks. They also increased their endurance, agility, and even reduced their low-density cholesterol levels.
Which swimming strokes burn the most calories?
Below shows the four most common types of swimming stroke, ordered by the number of calories burned after a 30-minute session, along with the physical benefits for each:
Butterfly – approximately 450 calories
This stroke is for more advanced swimmers, and it is the biggest calorie burner of the four main strokes. It is effective for improving upper body strength, posture and flexibility and toning your chest, arms, and stomach.
The butterfly stroke is accomplished by keeping your face down in the water and moving your arms symmetrically forwards over your head while keeping your feet together and performing a dolphin kick.
Front crawl – approximately 405 calories
Front crawl offers the second-highest calorie-burning potential. This stroke is best for toning back muscles but is also great for the glutes and shoulders.
When swimming front crawl, your face is in the water, legs kicking continuously, and your arms alternate reaching out in front of your head.
Breaststroke – approximately 370 calories
Breaststroke is the third-best stroke for burning calories, but actually offers the best cardiovascular workout, aiding in strengthening your heart and lungs.
The stroke involves moving the arms in semicircular movements while performing a frog kick. It is considered the simplest stroke to learn and often appeals to those who prefer to keep their head above water.
Backstroke – approximately 250 calories
Backstroke burns the fewest calories, however, it does help to lengthen the spine and improve posture. Backstroke tones the stomach, shoulders, glutes, and arms. As the name suggests, backstroke is performed on your back, with the head looking towards the ceiling. Your hips should be high up in the water, with legs continuously kicking and arms alternating in a circular motion behind you.
When and what should I eat before swimming?
Fuelling the body with the right food an hour before a pool session is essential. Eating the wrong food, or nothing at all, could result in a drop in stamina, as well as indigestion, cramps, and nausea.
It is crucial to maintain energy stores by eating healthy carbohydrates that can be swiftly digested. Outlined below are the perfect pre-swim snacks:
- Fresh fruit
- Yogurt
- Porridge
- A slice of toast
- Smoothie
- Sports drink
- Cereal bar
- Banana
As you begin swimming regularly, you may notice that your appetite increases, and you may experience hunger pangs. Hunger pangs are a common effect of swimming, as exposure to cold water is known to trigger hunger reflexes.
If your fitness goal is to lose weight, it is worth paying attention to your calorie intake to ensure you don’t consume significantly more than you have just burned.
