Is swimming in cold water really good for you?
Cold water swimming can improve blood pressure and fat levels in the blood when practised regularly by those in good general health. However, if you have a heart condition, there are risks you should consider and discuss with your doctor or nurse specialist before starting swimming. It has been reported that drinking cold water lowers the core temperature (25), and in this study, the core temperature also decreased after water drinking. Cold exposure of the body surface is known to cause a decrease in peripheral blood flow and increased venous return, cardiac output, and blood pressure (26).When you immerse yourself in cold water, your body’s fight-or-flight response is triggered, which releases cortisol – the stress hormone. The more often you take dips in cold water, the more your brain gets used to the cold and lowers these stress hormones.While there is evidence to support the role of cold water exposure in activating brown fat and increasing metabolic rate, the overall impact on fat loss is relatively modest. However, when combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise, cold water exposure can be a valuable addition to a holistic health regimen.This is why the first thing you should do is cover your body with a towel or bathrobe to start the process of regaining body heat. If you are wearing a wetsuit, it is better to keep it on for the first few minutes out of the water so as not to cause additional shock to your system.Start with short dips, slowly wading in and getting your face wet first. Over several weeks, incrementally increase your time in the cold water while wearing a wetsuit to retain warmth. Repeated exposure helps reduce the intensity of the cold shock each time as your cardiovascular system becomes accustomed to the cold.
How to swim in cold water without a wetsuit?
Keep Your Swims Short As your body is adapting to swimming without a wetsuit it’s important not to overdo it too soon. That’s why you should start by sticking to short swims. Even if you feel like you could stay in the water for longer, make sure to limit yourself as the effects of hypothermia can quickly set in. When winter swimming without a wetsuit, a rule of thumb is 1 minute in the water per 1oC of water temperature, so for those new to winter swimming 2 or 3 minutes is more than enough. Only enter cold water if you can tread water and are a confident swimmer.However, as a general estimate, you can expect to burn around 250 calories in 15 minutes of swimming. In addition to fat loss, our skin tightens, as the cold stimulates collagen production.Everyone has different levels of comfort regarding eating around swimming, so it’s important to trial what works for you. In general, allow 2-4 hours before your swim if you’ve eaten a larger meal, and 30 minutes – 2 hours following a small snack.When winter swimming without a wetsuit, a rule of thumb is 1 minute in the water per 1oC of water temperature, so for those new to winter swimming 2 or 3 minutes is more than enough. Only enter cold water if you can tread water and are a confident swimmer.Cold water swimming can improve blood pressure and fat levels in the blood when practised regularly by those in good general health. However, if you have a heart condition, there are risks you should consider and discuss with your doctor or nurse specialist before starting swimming.
Who should not do cold water swimming?
Risks from pre existing health conditions As a general rule, get expert medical advice before winter swimming if you have a heart condition, high blood pressure, asthma, or are pregnant. Do you swim faster in cold water? Not always. While some swimmers may initially feel energized in cooler water, prolonged exposure can decrease muscle efficiency, slow stroke rate, and hinder overall speed. Extreme cold can lead to hypothermia, making it difficult to swim efficiently.Swimming is an excellent exercise for the heart, arteries, lungs, and muscles. If you enjoy swimming in cold water and have been doing it for some time with no ill effects, it’s probably fine for you.Swimming in cold water can increase your metabolic rate by forcing your body to burn more calories to keep warm. It can also improve your blood circulation by constricting your blood vessels which helps in oxygenating your body. This can help lower your blood pressure and improve your heart health.For athletes, cold-water immersion may affect different types of training in different ways. For those engaged in resistance training, cold water may turn down the molecular signaling pathways that are normally activated after exercise. This may hinder long-term improvements in strength, muscle growth and performance.
What is the best robe for cold water swimming?
Our best robe on test is Dryrobe’s Advance. Independent research by the MMU Institute of Sport found that wearing a Dryrobe Advance after cold water immersion helps lower heart rate, increases skin temperature and improves thermal comfort, making it our top pick for open-water swimming as well as casual wear. Without a full wetsuit, you’re going to need to layer up to protect yourself from the cold. And it’s worth repeating again – no cotton. Instead, aim for a base layer made with polypropylene (or anything similar such as Under Armour cold gear).Insulated Clothing: For cold-water activities like kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding, insulated clothing designed for cold weather can be an alternative to a wetsuit. Drysuits: If you’re engaging in diving or other activities where you want to stay completely dry, a drysuit might be a better option.For colder water temperatures, a wetsuit is often the most effective way to stay warm and safe. Wetsuits work by trapping a layer of warm water between your body and the suit, providing insulation and buoyancy.Best sustainable cold-water swimsuit: Finisterre Nieuwland 2mm Yulex long-sleeve. Finisterre is an expert in keeping water lovers warm. It’s predominately a surf brand, with years of experience designing wetsuits that offer warmth, flexibility and durability – and this suit is no different.
Which type of swimwear is ideal for cold water swimming?
Look for swimming costumes that are made from thicker materials such as neoprene, and make sure they have a good fit so they don’t let any cold water in. Our Linda reversible wetsuit is a great example of a long-sleeved, shorty wetsuit that can help you retain warmth without being too restrictive. Water sports accessories at Lidl: wetsuits, SUP paddles and more.At Decathlon, we stock a huge selection of open water swimming wetsuits for kids, men, and women in a range of designs.
What is the secret to cold water swimming?
The secret to acclimatising to cold water is just to swim in it, often – at least once a week, and preferably two or three, gradually extending the time that you stay in the water,’ says Dr Heather Massey a swimmer and a researcher at the Extreme Environments Laboratory at the University of Portsmouth. To help yourself acclimatise, splash the cold water on your neck and face. Try not to hold your breath for an extended time when you first get into the water. Once you are in the water, remember that cold water immersion can seriously affect your swimming ability.Cold water Even when swimming hard, after a length of time in a cold pool, your core temperature will be slightly lowered. In addition, your body is expending more energy to maintain that temperature, which leads to greater fatigue than normal.Cold water immersion is good for fast relief of heat exhaustion after exercising in hot temperatures, the relief of muscle soreness after prolonged exercise in normal temperatures, and helpful if muscle soreness is anticipated after several days of training, advise the editorialists.The cold can dull your blood pressure response and make you feel dizzy and faint. Now that you are out of the water doesn’t mean you will instantly start to warm up. In fact you will continue to cool, sometimes called the ‘afterdrop’. This period of cooling can potentially last 30-40 minutes after your swim.
What to wear on feet for cold water swimming?
Neoprene swim socks, such as the HUUB model, offer thermal protection and help prevent frostbite during prolonged cold water swims. A snug fit with adjustable closures in footwear ensures warmth and comfort while swimming in cold conditions. Most neoprene socks let in a considerable amount of water when used for swimming and you often feel like you have large water bags attached to your feet.