Why keep "proper" swimmers out of sight? - Paul Gough Physio Rooms

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Why keep “proper” swimmers out of sight?

Out of sight out of mind.

It’s a theory that applies to stuff such as cigarettes and less than decent magazines as the government and councils enforce rules that look to protect young children from the influence of both.

I assume in the case of the cigarettes, that they do so because it’s been proven that picking up such a habit in the early phase of a child’s life would be detrimental to their long-term health. Not to mention a likely expensive cost to the cardio-vascular departments of the NHS.

But what about keeping good, healthy habits out of sight and mind from children? What impact is that having?

Take for example the situation at some public swimming baths. Rarely, if ever, will you pop along to your local swimming baths and find that there aren’t at least half a dozen or so adults who want to actually swim.

The proper kind of swimming that promotes better health and fitness and is regularly recommended by GP’s. And yet it’s not always the case that such people are allocated the 1-2 meters width (that’s all they need) of the pool to create an official swimming lane. Usually, such lanes are created during designated times only.

And those times are usually when all of the children who are playing and splashing around, are gone.

So it maybe that the adult swimmers, the ones with arguably the best health habit of all, could be allocated a swimming lane (or even two) EVERY time the public pool opens its doors. With no excuses or reasons why not.

And in doing, so children get to play much more safely and parents can relax a bit more, because it’s no fun for anyone when you’re always looking behind you to for a 180lb adult who might be front crawling towards you with no idea that your even there.

And most importantly of all, children get to see the logical progression that swimming offers. That swimming starts out as fun with mates. But they learn by watching, that ultimately, the real gold in any splashing around in water is found in 20 or so lengths of that same pool, two or three times per week.

Public swimming baths around the North East might also find an influx of adults who want to swim, but find it difficult to work to the often-restricted timetables of lane swimming. Hat tip to the Mill House for their efforts to improve this situation.

One big tip for you this week: Swimming is the number one healthy habit of some of the happiest and healthiest people over the age of 50 that I know. It offers a great work out for your heart and lungs and means no impact through your joints. Find a pool with a permanent swimming lane and try it.

Copy-write: Published in the Hartlepool Mail. Written By Paul Gough

Paul Gough
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