by John Benson

Created on: August 04, 2009

While scuba diving is a recreational activity and the ultimate opportunity for exploration, it is also an incredibly good way to maintain fitness and to do so in an environment that is inspiring and away from the confines of a gym.

Scuba diving has a level of demand upon both your body and your mind that make it worthy of being called a sport. But, one of the main fitness benefits of scuba diving is that it is open to nearly everyone, no matter what your current fitness levels are. A brief fitness test at the beginning of a dive usually consists of ensuring you can tread water for 10 mins, and a continuous swim/snorkel for 200 or 300 metres.

Like swimming, scuba diving is low-impact on the body (unlike, for example, running, which causes unnatural stress on joints and ligaments). The body is able to exercise while being supported by the water, and the joints and ligaments are suspended.

A typical diving day will consist of two or three dives, so the fitness benefits of a day scuba diving can be significant. Depending upon weather conditions a days dive can be the equivalent to swimming against the current for ost of the day which is a significant workout for even a reasonably fit person. The development and strengthening of leg and arm muscles are a natural outcome of this constant battle with currents, and of swimming beneath the waters surface.

One benefit people often do not realise is that scuba diving is very good for improving the suppleness of the feet and hands. The key role of the feet in propelling the body when diving means that they are kept supple, strong and agile. Again, because the feet are not exposed to impact upon hard surfaces, this is achieved with almost no stress to the joints and ligaments.

Scuba diving is a sport wholly dependent upon oxygen. Upon air. For this diving can help improve the respritory system, as the divers lungs have to work hard to take the oxygen from the respirator and tank.

Diving also has an impact on coordination and balance. Both of these skills are central to being able to successfully dive, and diving helps improve this aspect of your fitness simply as a part of undertaking a dive.

While diving clearly benefits your physical fitness and strength, it is also incredibly good for your mental fitness and wellbeing. Away from the stresses and distractions of everyday life, scuba diving allows a clearing of the mind, and a release of stress and tension. Scuba diving is an ideal way to improve your mental fitness, which will help improve your physical fitness and the overall condition of your self.


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