Many people ask me what it is I like about fitness swimming. Is it the cool blue waters, the sensuous feel of water lobbing all around me or the desire to complete the customary miles regardless of biting cold or sweltering heat? The answer is ? none of these!

What I like most about my swimming ritual is the happiness it brings me. You see, I am no competitor. I do not swim at competitions and I do not have any medals or trophies to flaunt. But, what I do have is the ability to swim nonstop for a few miles, and a body and mind that has grown infinitely richer because of my swimming routine. I am a fitness swimmer.

In the concrete crazy, money spinning world around me, I am not alone. Actually, less than one-third of swimmers are into the sport for competition. Reports say that there are more than 35 million fitness swimmers in the US alone. Most of us swim because we love it. Of course, it also helps that swimming is such a great fitness activity both for the body and mind.

Fitness swimming is an easy way to keep fighting fit. The inherent nature of swimming makes it a gentle and comfortable activity for any age group. Many fitness swimmers over the age of 50 are people who have come into the sport to get away from high cholesterol levels, increase blood pressure levels, cardiac problems and asthma or muscle injuries. With fitness swimming, it doesn?t matter if you are overweight or obese. This is one exercise where you won?t feel the entire weight of your body bogging you down. In fact, you feel much lighter in water than on land because the density of water is almost similar to the density of the human body. The good part of all this is that your body is not placed under any stress or tension while you are swimming. Unlike other kinds of exercise, you can never sustain an injury while swimming. That explains why swimming is a recommended form of exercise for people who are recouping from an injury or illness.

Since swimming is an excellent form of aerobic workout, it can burn calories efficiently. In fact, it can burn twice as many calories as vigorous running, staircase climbing and treadmill jogging. Even three hours of swimming a week is enough to bring you muscle strength, flexibility and endurance.

Fitness Swimming is a great all round exercise. It works out every muscle of the body gently yet rigorously. The superb physique of competitive swimmers is an indication of how swimming can make you lean and trim – a true treat for the eyes!

But, fitness swimming is not just about your body. Swimming is a fantastic form of meditation too. As you place one arm in front of the other, humming your favorite song to yourself and floating effortlessly in the water, your mind goes into a ?Zen? mode. Stress is quickly forgotten. Deadlines don?t matter for a while. The noise of the city leaves you. There is only you and the water. New ideas emerge. Old problems seem less life threatening. Life seems full of possibilities. An incredible sense of well being envelopes you.

Why do I love fitness swimming? There really is no one answer.