5 reasons to take the plunge into cold water this autumn

Here at Bua Fit we’re all about those outdoor workouts, and chilly weather or not, a spot of outdoor swimming can be the perfect addition to your weekly workout regime. It’s another great way to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city, offering a whole load of benefits that will, in turn, improve your out-of-water workouts. Here are just a few reasons to dive in next time you’re passing the local lido…

Inflammation relief

You’ve heard of footballers taking their post-match ice bath, right? Well there’s method to the madness. Immersing yourself in cold water is a sure-fire way of increasing circulation, minimising inflammation and speeding up muscle recovery, keeping that delayed-onset muscle soreness at bay. One recent study conducted in Finland found that cold-water swimming also helped people with pain from rheumatism, fibromyalgia, as well as asthma! 

You’ll get an all-over workout

Here’s a little fact for you: water is about 800 times denser than air, meaning when your muscles are at work underwater they’re facing constant resistance. This, in turn, makes swimming an excellent form of resistance training — and we all know how good this is for building on muscle tone, strength, and our cardiovascular fitness. Don’t forget, each stroke works different areas of the body, so by mixing things up during your swim you’ll ensure that a whole range of muscle groups go through their paces.

Great for stress relief

Now we all know how a good workout can do great things for stress reduction, but there’s something about the combination of fresh air, cold water, deep breathing and muscle stretching that makes outdoor swimming especially relaxing. This is partly down to temperature receptors under the skin releasing endorphins, cortisol and adrenalin, hormones known for their therapeutic and stress-reducing capabilities. When introduced into a regime alongside a range of outdoor fitness classes you’ll find yourself reaching new heights of tranquillity!

Improves flexibility

With certain workouts, particularly Yoga and Pilates, improving your flexibility outside of those particular classes can boost your performance and efficiency tenfold. Swimming is a great way to do just that; with its varied range of movements and controlled, stretching actions helping your muscles stay long and much more flexible for when you need it most.

Burn baby, burn

We all have those mates that rave about swimming’s fat-burning qualities, and they’re not actually wrong, with one hour of moderate swimming burning a whopping 500 calories (more than double that of walking). When cold water is thrown into the mix the heart must pump faster and the body must work harder to keep everything warm, taking the calorie-burning capabilities to a whole new level.

As always, stay fit and stay healthy!