Winter Swimwear: What It Is and Why You Need It

When most people think of swimming, they picture going to the beach or their local pool to cool off during the hot, summer months. Some even consider bathing suit shopping an annual, early spring tradition! But did you know that companies make winter swimwear too? Or that swimming in the winter can be really good for you? Let's dive into why people swim during the coldest months of the year, what winter swimwear is, and why you should consider buying yourself a swimsuit this holiday season!

Why Do People Swim in Winter?

It might seem counterintuitive, but plenty of people enjoy swimming from December to March. While some people--especially athletes--swim in open water even when there's snow on the ground, others do laps in the indoor pool at their local gym to stay in shape all year round. Some even plan on going on tropical vacations in the winter just to get away from the cold. That's right: despite what commercials and the clothing market tells you, swimming is not an activity exclusive to summer.

Of course, not all of us can afford to go on tropical vacations, and it's hard to find the motivation to jump into a freezing cold lake, let alone the ocean. It's true that waiting to swim until the spring and summer feels convenient for a lot of reasons, especially since those are the months that outdoor pools and waterparks are open to the public anyway, but actually, there are actually a lot of health benefits to swimming in the winter. A few of those benefits include:

Preventing sickness. Winter is when the flu runs rampant, which means we need our immune systems to work overtime in order to keep ourselves happy and healthy. Staying active boosts our immune systems by producing antibodies, increasing blood circulation, and reducing inflammation. Swimming year-round keeps us active year-round! Of course, if preventing sickness is your goal, you may want to find an indoor pool near you instead of jumping into a frozen pond. Fighting Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). When the weather gets cold and the days get short, many people battle the depression associated with SAD. Exercise is a great way to fight off depression anyway, but if swimming is something you really enjoy, you could find a lot of mental health benefits by swimming during the winter. After all, even the best of us could use an extra rush of endorphins every once in a while.

Becoming stronger. Let's be honest: swimming works your entire body. It's a great exercise to strengthen your muscles and your heart, and you shouldn't be limited to getting that kind of workout in a few months out of the year. While you're fighting off illness of the body and mind this winter season, you can also make yourself stronger and feel more confident in your own skin.

No matter why people swim, it's clear that swimsuits aren't just for spring and summer. Are winter swimsuits any different than other swimsuits, though? What sets them apart from the rest?

What is Winter Swimwear?

The truth is that there is no real difference between a winter swimsuit and a summer swimsuit unless you buy swimwear made from materials like rubber that completely cover your arms, legs, and torso. If you aren't looking for something to wear in freezing cold waters, anything you decide to swim in during the winter months IS "winter swimwear.

There are a few differences in trends and styles that you might not see as much in summer swimwear, though. Swimsuits designed for winter will often feature fewer bold colors and prints than those designed for summer. For example, you might not be able to find a bright pink and green tropical floral print in winter, but you'll probably be able to find midnight black, army green, and snowy sky blue prints and patterns.

Since people swim in winter for many different reasons and in a lot of different places, there are a lot of different cuts and styles of winter swimwear. Like we mentioned above, there are some winter swimsuits designed to cover as much skin as possible to keep you as insulated and warm as possible, but if warmth isn't your primary goal, you can just as easily find bikinis, tankinis, and standard one-pieces from most bathing suit retailers. You can also buy a long sleeve top to match a bikini bottom or long pants to match a bikini top. Depending on the brand you choose, the possibilities for your winter swimsuit styles are endless!

So, Should I Buy a Winter Swimsuit?

The bottom line: yes, you should absolutely buy yourself some winter swimwear. Buying a swimsuit that you love might give you a little bit of motivation to try winter swimming. Not only are there so many benefits to swimming in the winter, but you'll probably be able to find a lot of great deals on your favorite swimsuit styles. After all, the clothing market caters its swimwear to its spring and summer audience. Take advantage of it and find some really amazing swimwear at surprisingly low prices!

Winter is a great time to take a cruise or treat yourself to a tropical vacation. We love the holiday season as much as anyone, but it can also feel like a very stressful time for many people, especially when thinking about all the gifts, food, and decorations they'll have to buy. Buy something for yourself every once in a while, like a winter swimsuit that you can wear on vacation no matter what time of year it is!

Still, you don't have to go on a tropical vacation or jump into the nearest frozen pond to enjoy all the benefits that winter swimming can give you; do some research and find out where the nearest indoor pool is to fight sickness and get stronger in more ways than one. We can't wait to see all the adventures you take and the obstacles you overcome this winter season!