Fitness & Exercise

Fitness Basics: Swimming Is for Everyone

The Right Choice

When Lane started swimming regularly two years ago, she didn't feel good doing any other exercise. But after losing 20 pounds, and improving her strength and cardiovascular fitness, she was able to do fitness walking and, eventually, to run. She competed in her first triathlon this year.

For Lane, swimming was the right choice.

"It's a good way to begin to get back into fitness without having such trauma in the body. And it's also very relaxing," she says.

"Once you get your earplugs in and your swim cap on and you begin to swim, it's just you and the water. There's no cell phone, everything else just kind of fades."

Originally published June 30, 2005.

Medically Updated July 13, 2006.