After I injured my knees while training in an elite IDF unit, I didn’t have many options when it came to keeping in shape. I couldn’t run, couldn’t speed walk, couldn’t jump rope, or really do any kind of high impact exercise. But my very few exercise options turned into a blessing in disguise when I discovered the best sport on the planet – swimming!

That was where I discovered two things. That most of the girls coming often looked really good, and that I was a really bad swimmer. Luckily, I found some videos to help me out and after a couple of weeks I was doing alright for myself. You can check out the videos I used over here (they’re really, really helpful).

Anyway, swimming proved to be a really, really great exercise to pick up. Here are 5 reasons that swimming will make you look and feel AMAZING:

1. Swimming is the highest calorie burning sport. Swimming burns more calories than any other sport. If you eat the same amount of food, and swim an hour a day, you will start burning fat in no time.

2. It tones and tightens your body. The motion of swimming is very much like doing high repetitions of light weights with extreme cardio. The result? It tightens and tones your body.

3. Knowing you’re going to be in a bathing suit will motivate you. You’ll probably find that knowing you’re going to be in a bathing suit 3 times a week will be a huge motivating factor in helping you to lose weight and look good.

4. It is soothing. Like taking a long shower, swimming can be extremely soothing to your muscles and help you relax after a stressful day. It is probably the only sport that is both relaxing and exhilarating at the same time!

5. Being a good swimmer might save your life. Alright, this is a bit more serious. But learning to swim well can prove to be one of the most important things for you to know. You never know when you might be out at sea or even if someone who can’t swim might accidentally fall in the pool. Knowing how to swim will give you the ability to save your life, or the life of someone else in those kind of situations.

So what are you waiting for? Go out and swim!
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Rafi Bar-Lev
http://www.passionatefitness.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/rafibarlev