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Swimming for Exercise


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If you're looking to get fit without all that pounding on your joints, try swimming.

A good swim reduces stress, leaves you feeling healthy and energized. Fitness expert Eric Harr says it's the best total body exercise around.

Eric Harr, Fitness Expert: "THAT'S THE NICE PART, IT SUPPORTS YOUR BODY SO YOU CAN REALLY WORK HARD IN THE POOL AND NOT HAVE A LOT OF RESIDUAL MUSCLE FATIGUE."

If you're new to swimming you may tire quickly, so pace yourself and focus on technique.

"YOUR HEART RATE IS GOING TO BE HIGHER IN ACTIVITIES THAT YOU'RE NOT PROFICIENT IN. SO IF YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH SWIMMING, YOU'RE NOT AS EFFICIENT WITH YOUR MUSCULAR SYSTEM AND YOUR HEART RATE'S GOING TO WORK HARDER. THAT'S A NATURAL THING."

You can strain your shoulders if you overdo it, so mix up your strokes. Slip on a pair of fins and you'll glide like a professional.

Bert Sawicki says using a heart rate monitor keeps him from working out too hard, so he's always ready for more.

Bert Sawicki, Polar 100 Participant: "I THINK IT'S A VALUABLE TOOL FOR EXERCISING AND JUST GAUGING, NOT OVERDOING IT, SO I'M NOT SO BURNED OUT THE NEXT DAY."

And Jayne McCall, who did her first triathlon last month, says tracking her heart rate has helped her get the most out of her workouts.

Jayne McCall, Polar 100 Participant: "NOW WE'RE WORKING OUT EFFICIENTLY AND IT'S SO MUCH EASIER ON YOUR BODY AND YOU DON'T GET HURT AS MUCH EITHER. SO THERE'S A GREAT BENEFIT TO THE HEART RATE MONITOR, POLICING YOU... WORKING ON YOUR CARDIO AND NOT KILLING YOURSELF IN THE PROCESS."

Swimming is a great way to keep exercising if you've had an injury, and it's ideal for pregnant women.

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