The short answer is yes. As an exercise that works your heart and lungs, swimming ticks every box when it comes to being categorized as cardio. “With swimming, the exertion of pulling yourself through the water means you need more oxygen to the working muscles, and your cardiovascular system will need to work harder to supply this,” explains Kass.

Swimming and running are both excellent forms of cardiovascular exercise. After all, they account for two-thirds of a triathlon. Both are great ways to boost your cardio fitness and burn calories.

It’s everything in swimming. A great cardiovascular system doesn’t just pay dividends for swimming. It also produces life-changing health benefits, such as a reduced heart rate, lowered blood pressure, improved circulation, and reduced stress. What’s not to love? Here are five expert-written workouts from U.S. Masters Swimming’s Workout Library.

When it comes to low-impact cardio workouts, it doesn't get much better than swimming. After all, swimming workouts pack all of the benefits of cardiovascular exercise — a stronger heart, fitter muscles and torched calories — without all of the shock that can come with high-impact workouts.