Swimming competitions began in Europe around the turn of the Nineteenth Century, but there are sure to have been swimming competitions long before that in Europe and in other continents in the world. John Arthur Trudgen made the front crawl famous in 1873, although it is likely that this style was being used in other parts of the globe.

Until 1873, the breast stroke was the favourite style of swimming in Europe and America. The crawl, which was first known as the Trudgen, became an Olympic sport in 1896, the first of the modern Olympics, which were held in Athens. The butterfly stroke was introduced in 1952, before which it was considered as a variation of the breast stroke.

The vast bulk of our bodies is composed of water and there is a lot of oil too. This means that the body is less dense than water, which also means that the human body floats under regular circumstances. So, the body will float in fresh and salt water at or 50%-ish below the surface.

You can go above this level by paddling water downwards, which will push the body up or you can go forwards by pushing water behind you. A combination of both of these actions will propel a swimmer forward at or above the surface of the surrounding water.

It is easier to swim in salt water than fresh water, because the salt makes the water denser which means that your body will float higher in it. Decent swimmers or rather fast swimmers have subtle hips.

Swinging from one arm to another in the crawl, which is the fastest stroke, depends on hip action not on substantial arm muscles. After all, the amount of water that you can move with your hands is not that heavy.

Thigh muscles are significant for a continuous, rhythmic beat and co-ordination is equally important. There are diverse styles of swimming the crawl, some swimmers like to to draw the water back with cupped hands, others with flat hands and yet others with fingers slightly spread.

Breathing is essential for any form of continuous exertion. It is better to control the breathing so that you breathe in on one stroke, hold it for a stroke and breathe out during the next two strokes. This means that you only have to raise your mouth out of the water every four strokes.

Swimming is an excellent exercise because it exercises numerous muscles at the same time, but does not put pressure on hip, knee or ankle joints. It also raises the amount of oxygen in the blood., as do most exercises, but swimming encourages the partaker to hold in breath which means that the swimmer gets all the benefits from that air.

The below facts are sure to make you sit up and pack your bags to go swimming.

Swimming gives you total bodywork out involving all part of your body including legs, arms, stomach as well as lungs. It gives you good cardiovascular workout and strengthens you chest muscles besides increasing your breath and expanding your lungs.

If you were faced with the prospect of jogging miles on a lonely road out in the cold to swimming in warm water pool having fun with playing games, what would you prefer. You would prefer swimming of course. How about jogging on a summer afternoon sweating to swimming in cold water in summer, Very inviting isn't it? Yes swimming is not only a sport that gives your overall exercising benefit but an enjoyable and relaxing recreation too.

Age is no bar for swimming while it can stop you from doing other exercises like weight lifting and training. You can go swimming at any age as long as your enjoy it but you cannot risk injury to your spine or bones by lifting weights as you advance in age. While in water you do not feel your body weight and are able to go on and have a good swim without having to worry about any possible injuries.

But then, to start swimming first thing you have to do is to learn to love water and get over your fear of water.

Swimming takes a little bit of time to learn and master the breathing technique and co -ordination. Like the fishes do, you will have to learn to exhale under the water and swim up to he surface to inhale air. You can pick up this practice and master it in a few days. Once you have learned the breathing technique and strokes', then swimming is real fun combined with exercises too.

Before signing up for swimming lessons, it is always better that you consult your physician and have a word with him. He would know your body condition and would be able to guide you appropriately.