Guide to Swimming

It’s no secret that swimming is great exercise but it’s especially good for anyone suffering with breathing problems like asthma. When you swim you not only breathe in warm, moist air that’s gentler and easier on the lungs, it can also help develop good breathing patterns that can help with endurance and stamina. Next time you go for a dip try and get a good breathing rhythm going by visualising your lungs expanding – the combination of that and regular movement is unbeatable for your fitness levels.
For a gentler, less chemical-laden swim visit Third Space, Marylebone’s new Ozone treated pool, www.thethirdspace.com .

While dipping into your local pool might be a time saver, sea swimming has the added benefit of clean water and beautiful scenery to take in whilst you’re exercising (beats the dimly lit gym pool any day…). Not only does swimming against a tide burn more calories and provide a tougher workout than your average pool swim (the resistance is greater), regular cold sea swimming can help strengthen your immune system, improve circulation and hydrate and gently exfoliate the skin.

For where to find your local sea-spot visit wildswimming.co.uk.

The genius of swimming is that it not only works practically every muscle in your body, it can improve general strength and cardiovascular health too, all without inflicting any impact stress on the body that running or aerobic workout can cause. If you can’t bear to give up your regular gym sessions, think about incorporating swimming into your everyday fitness routine; a few laps of the pool before training is a great warm-up while swimming afterwards will help cool your body down and encourage blood to flow to your muscles to help them recover quicker.

To find out more about the benefits of swimming go to www.swimming.org

If you simply can’t escape the city but want to lose yourself for a couple of hours, take note of the rooftop pools that are springing up all over London. EBT favourites include the sublime open-top pool at The Berkeley in Knightsbridge (with views over Hyde Park to calm and transport your mind to greener climes), and Shoreditch House’s offering which once you’re submerged could be anywhere in the world despite being a stone’s throw from bustling Brick Lane. If you’re searching for tranquility further afield we love the pools at Soho House and The Gansevoort in New York, for their ability to draw a cool, urban crowd come summer time.

For more rooftop pools, visit ELLE's new Travel channel...

Although busy lane swimming in your local pool might not be the ideal time to try out new and different strokes, the benefits of switching it up during your routine are huge. Not only do you use more muscles and therefore get a better all-body workout, the risk of injury is decreased because you’re not stressing the body with the same repetitive movements. It’ll also test your endurance and keep your heart rate up, just don’t pause for too long in between…

For more tips on how to improve your technique visit http://www.swim-teach.com/ .

Both chlorine and saltwater can play havoc with your hair. If you’re adverse to wearing a cap (who isn’t?) then protect your hair with Swimcap, £18.40, by Philip Kinglsey. An EBT favourite this rich cream is water resistant and protects against dryness and chlorine (or salt-induced damage), simply comb through hair before you swim and rinse well afterwards. Just as effective but with a gorgeous, golden sheen is Kerastase’s Huile Celeste, £14.64 a shimmering dry oil that’ll protect against damage, it can be reapplied throughout the day – stash this in your holiday washbag now.