Swimming ranks right up with riding bicycles as a childhood pleasure. Like cycling, it can be a powerhouse workouty for adults. Fitness awimming all the major musclea. It’s also easy on the joints, notes Dr. Jane Moore, member of U.S. Masters Swimming (USMS) Sports Medicine Committee.

Interested in taking the plunge? You should get some training; fitness swimming is different than splashing around around the swimming pool. Good technique prevents back, shoulder, and other injuries.

Call local pools or your YMCA to see if their offer adult instruction. And also search a local Master Swimming program.

Just be sure to start slowly. Swim three time a week with a day off between workouts. Swim one or two lengths of the pool and rest 10 to 15 seconds. Increase your time to the pool by no more than 10 percent each week. Back off and sneak out an instructor if you develolp any nagging pain in your back, neck and shoulder.