You are a runner. You want to keep progressing and beat your personal record. You want to learn more and further. However there is an issue: running too much, when your body is not well prepared, can be really damaging. So what to do to stay active but not necessarily run ? What are the other sport you can do to complement your running ?

Swimming is probably one or the be combination that every runners could benefit from.

Basically If you want full body movement, a proper swim technique is required to strengthen your muscles. Swim  technique strengthens muscles not only used while running but also alleviates muscular imbalances and ultimately helps protect the runner from injury.

So let’s look at some ways that swimming and running work together to provide maximum results.

Why swimming and running complement each other ?

Swimming can help runners get faster. Swimming is an excellent form of cross training for runners that can help injured runners recover faster. Here are few reasons why every runners, regardless of their level, shoul add swimming in their cross-training routine.

Prevents common  running injuries

When you run frequently, it can often lead to injury making strain on the joints. Swimming can be a great way to exercise that allows your joints to recover  on your running rest days.

Increased flexibility

If you are a runner, swimming helps you to be more flexible. If your swimming method is good, your ankles will become more flexible because it is a simple equation of the mass of different muscle groups that are regularly used and extended.

Improve cardiovascular performance

Swimming can help you by improving  cardiovascular fitness by working the heart and lungs without all the wear and tear from running. This will undoubtedly be helpful when you have to train or race outdoors in difficult/technical conditions.

Improve breathing and heartbeat

Soundness of heart is mandatory to become a good runner. Swimming is a wonderful way to improve your heart health. Swimming also helps  you to improve your endurance in the open air and reduce any breathlessness. It enhances your cardio respiratory system which gives you the opportunity to have a healthy heart required for running.

Upper body workout

Most runners think that their upper bodies are nothing like tones as their lower half. Swimming can help to  rectify this imbalance. You can give importance on building up power in your arms , shoulder,chest and neck that helps give your lower body a solid workout. To increase in muscle strength in your arms swimming is significant. Your arms are important to drive your legs on runs.

Swimming to improve your running performance

Overall, swimming is significantly  effective for increasing your muscle power using the resistance of water. It is also a cardiovascular system  that strengthens the heart, broadens your capabilities and is very useful for running!

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