A Stroke of Luck!
Swimming is great exercise for bad-back sufferers. ‘Your whole body is supported in the water so you weigh only one tenth of your actual body weight’, says ASA swim coach Jo Melchoir. ‘As well as giving you gentle exercise, it helps you stabilise your core muscles and reduces strain on the supportive tissues of the spine’. If you’re worried your technique isn’t up to scratch it’s worth investing in some lessons. ‘You cannot self-correct a potentially “damaging” swim stroke, so a teacher will be able to analyse your technique and show you how to swim more efficiently and safely’, says Jo. Front crawl will give you an aerobic workout and burns about three calories per mile, while back crawl will strengthen your core. It’s best to avoid breast stroke because it arches the spine.
For more information go to www.britishswimming.org or www.swim4fitness.com
Article printed by health magazine.
Supported by Indera Ajimal, BSc (Hons) Ost. Traditional and Cranial Osteopath.
Local Swimming Pools:
- Woolwich Waterfront (SE18 6DL): 020 8317 5010 – Mon-Fri 6.30am-10pm, Sat&Sun 8am-9.30pm
- Greenwich Arches (SE10 9UX): 020 8317 5020 – Mon-Fri 6.30am-10pm, Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 9am-7pm
- Eltham Centre (SE9 1HA): 020 8921 4344 – Mon-Fri 6.30am-10pm, Sat & Sun 9am-5pm
- Charlton Lido & Lifestyle Club (SE18 4LX): 0208 856 7389 – Mon-Thurs 6am-10pm, Fri 6am-8pm, Sat & Sun 9am-5pm
- Lewisham Glass Mill (SE13 7FT): 020 8463 9600 – Mon-Fri 6am-10pm, Sat & Sun 7am-6pm
- Deptford Wavelengths (SE8 4RJ): 020 8694 9400 – Mon-Fri 6.30am-10pm, Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 7am-6pm