Travellers Tales

by Roger Wheeler

Back in the swim

Swimming is one of the best forms of cardiovascular exercise available to us. Of course, I would say that, given that I’ve been swimming most days for the past few years, but there is no denying the fact that it is one of the only exercises that utilises all muscle groups while constantly stimulating the heart rate. At least that’s what I’ve been told.

“Much to my surprise I have managed to get very fit by just swimming for about half an hour every day. It takes your mind off the small everyday problems which aren’t actually problems at all and I sleep the sleep of the innocent, so it’s obviously working”

In reality no one really needs a gym, although here in Brighton there are about 28 health and fitness centres. Of course, gyms have been popular for thousands of years, the ancient Greeks loved them, but in today’s world do we really need to spend money on something that we can do for nothing, if you are lucky enough to live close to that big swimming pool we call the sea?

That’s a bit extreme, so I use some of the many public and private pools that we have. There are several large public pools but they do get busy, most of the big seafront hotels have them and for usually a very small amount of money you can splash around as often as you like. There is now only one major gym with a pool – it’s in the Marina, is very nice but indoors.

Much to my surprise I have managed to get very fit by just swimming for about half an hour every day. It takes your mind off the small everyday problems which aren’t actually problems at all and I sleep the sleep of the innocent, so it’s obviously working. In the days of the lovely Virgin Active in Falmer, now sadly closed, I discovered the joys of swimming outdoors even in the rain and snow. It did become something of a habit, but when it comes to habits this is one of the most harmless and positively beneficial. There are plans, there are always plans, to build an Olympic-size outdoor pool on the beach in Brighton, if it happens it will be great, but living in this town I am used to plans which never actually happen. I hope to be wrong this time. As well as being a great form of cardiovascular exercise, swimming just 30 minutes a week can help to guard against heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.

We are never going to end up looking like Tom Daley, but in the Rio Olympics there were 41 gay competitors and 11 were male. Remember Mark Foster who swam in five Olympic games, is now 51, still swimming and looking good? I discovered this hobby by chance after a particular life-changing experience, it helped incredibly and I met some great people, so if you want to really enjoy making yourself look young and beautiful again, this is the way to go. I know that you will be pleasantly surprised.