Physical Fitness & Self-Esteem

In this age of cultural obesity, with fast food and stagnant entertainment, it is increasingly up to parents to teach and instill a love for activity and exercise in their children. We can do this by joining our children in fun activities, enrolling them in team sports, and encouraging skill acquisition in sport lessons. We must begin to teach an active lifestyle while our children are young and formidable.
Southern California is a mecca for water sports, with a pool in many backyards.
Added to this is the inherent danger of so many available bodies of water. Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children under the age of five in the state of California, and the second leading cause of accidental death for children under 14. It is our responsibility to teach our children to swim. Once accomplished, they will learn to love the water on their own accord.
The benefits of exercising in water are long standing. Resistance is a key factor in improving strength and cardiovascular fitness. Compared to exercise on land, the same level of fitness can be attained in up to ½ the time! Water can be from 4 to 44 times more resistant than air, depending on how hard you work. Even athletes train in water because the medium produces resistance for every muscle group and the athlete becomes stronger and more flexible for other sports. Water can also be a safer to exercise in because of virtually no impact, as gravity is reduced to 10% of that on land.
There are benefits to many instructed sports but enrolling in swim lessons not only gives your children a skill that will be used throughout their lives, it is one of the highest calorie burners, after only running/jogging, but without the jarring stress on shins and knees. It’s also way more fun! Although many children can already “swim,” as a child learns the finer points of swimming during lessons, swimming becomes much easier, and s/he is more likely to enjoy it and repeat the activity. Furthermore, it is a lifesaving skill that can be enjoyed for a complete lifetime.
When children are fit and healthy, they can feel good and unencumbered by negative emotions that hold them back from doing their best.
For more information on water safety and fitness, call Academy Swim Club at (661)702-8585 or www.Swim4Life.com

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