When Julie McLaughlin suggested that her husband, Mark McLaughlin, MD, join her for a swim class at the CentraState Fitness & Wellness Center, he couldn’t have predicted it would become one of his favorite ways to exercise.
“I’m a wrestler and a runner, but these activities come with muscle and joint soreness,” says Dr. McLaughlin, a CentraState neurosurgeon specializing in minimally invasive spine surgery. “I fell in love with swimming because it’s a full-body workout and intense calorie burner minus the post-workout aches and pains.”
Physical and Mental Benefits
Swimming offers many physical benefits, including building lean muscle, improving cardiovascular health and enhancing stamina.
“My body adapted quickly,” says Dr. McLaughlin. “I went from swimming 20-30 to 70-80 laps relatively quickly, and my stamina increased for other activities like walking and biking.”
Beyond its physical benefits, swimming helps release feel-good biochemicals like endorphins and serotonin while increasing blood flow to the brain, making it a potent mood booster and pain reliever.
“People often come to me looking for a surgical solution for back pain when a lifestyle solution is what’s needed,” explains Dr. McLaughlin. “Swimming counteracts gravity, which decreases pressure on the spine, eases existing pain and allows you to exercise without additional pain and microtrauma to the discs and spine.”
A Great Rehabilitation Tool
Swimming is a safe way to recover from bone and joint issues and is beneficial for people with injury-induced or chronic balance problems.
“Being buoyant and feeling the water on your skin engages the entire nervous system,” says Dr. McLaughlin. “It helps strengthen and integrate the sensory nerves associated with balance and proprioception, your body’s ability to perceive its own position in space.”
How to Start a Swimming Routine
“Just being in the water and swimming as much as you can is a good start,” says Lynda Dobbins, aquatics manager at the CentraState Fitness & Wellness Center. “To take it up a notch, aim for 10 laps.”
Alternating between front crawl stroke and breaststroke keeps it interesting and works different muscles. If the pool is shallow enough, you can mix in walking.
CentraState offers private swim lessons to improve your technique and create a personalized program. Instructors recommend practicing at least two or three times a week.
FITNESS OPTIONS FOR EVERYONE
No matter where you are on your fitness journey, CentraState offers an option for you. Learn more about movement programs offered by our health coaches at the Star and Barry Tobias Health Awareness Center or at the CentraState Fitness & Wellness Center.
