Open-Water Swimming

Yes, you! Its time for a deep-dive into this body-sculpting sport

- Michelle October

If you’ve always been the girl who stays on land and doesn’t get her hair wet, you’re missing out! Swimming is expanding beyond the pool to dams and the ocean – and the body benefits are enormous. What’s more, you won’t be the only woman in a sea of dudes, says Olympian Michelle Weber. “Women’s swimming is getting so much faster and it’s just crazy how it’s improved in the last 10 years,” she says. “Records are being broken. And that’s exciting for female swimming.” Here’s what you can expect if you take the plunge.

YOU’LL TONE UP.

Unlike traditional cardio, like cycling and running, which use one particular muscle group, swimming incorporates every part of your body. Want sculpted shoulders? Check. Keen to tone your butt? Check. Killer core? Check, mate. It’s also low impact, so there’s very little chance you’ll be injured and benched. Plus, there are drills you can do to target specific muscles or get you in the peak heart-rate zone.

YOU’LL TORCH KILOJOULES.