Swimming is a water sport. People practice swimming as a competitive sport or as a simple leisure and stress-relieving exercise. Swimming is a great exercise and helps in burning a lot of calories as it involves movement of the body against the friction or force provided by water. To have a well-toned body, people should take up swimming as an exercise. It not only helps in relaxing the body but also provides the necessary toning to your body. The four basic swimming strokes are: free stroke, backstroke, butterfly stroke and breast stroke.
People should take to swimming as a sport right from childhood. The body of a child is more flexible and children tend to learn things faster. However, care should be taken that the children are taught under the guidance and expertise of a professional swimming teacher. People who take up swimming as a child often stay fit and healthy throughout their lives.