It is commonly acknowledged to exercise the majority of muscles in the body, which improves flexibility, stamina and strength, as well as providing an excellent aerobic and cardiovascular workout.

Angela Carter, Active Lifestyles Officer at Derbyshire Sport, said: "Swimming is a great form of exercise that works the whole body and has lots of health benefits.

The resistance of the water makes your body work that little bit harder, so 30 minutes of activity in the water is worth 45 minutes of the same activity on land.

Swimming is also a low impact exercise, so is something that people of all ages and abilities can enjoy. It is good for your heart and lungs, helps circulation and can have psychological benefits, helping to relax and de-stress you, as well as being a great social activity – and if you choose an activity you can do with friends and family you are more likely to stick at it."

Victoria Charles, 25, has been swimming for just over a year and a half. She took it up regularly after knee injuries caused her to give up netball, which she had played for many years.

She said: "When I had to give up netball the doctor told me the best thing to do was take up swimming to improve my knees. I feel like I have so much more energy from it. When I stopped doing any exercise I found I was really sluggish. I've toned up a lot as well, not just arms and legs but all over."

Estate Agent Victoria, of Derby Road, Denby, now swims twice a week after work. She said she enjoys it because it is easy to see how much she has improved.

She said: "It's easy to benchmark your progress and you get a real sense of achievement when you've done something. It's a case of challenging yourself, I try to do 20 lengths in 20 minutes, I find myself clock watching all the time and trying to improve. And I just enjoy it really."

Swimming has increased massively in popularity in recent years as it is something anybody can take part in. Along with various health benefits, including weight control, toning and enhancing flexibility, it can also be a social activity, and is often used as a method of gentle exercise.

Twelve-year-old Louise George, from Ambergate, started swimming because her mother thought it would be a useful life-skill. She has now been swimming for around six or seven years.

Louise, who attends Belper School, initially had some problems with instructors but now swims three times a week at lessons or with friends at Belper Leisure Centre.

Her mother, Olman, said: "She's come on such a long way, she loves it. It's a social thing as well as exercise, she'll sometimes finish a lesson and go straight back in to be with her friends, she's encouraged some of her friends to get involved.

"Fitness is very important to her, she goes to the gym and does karate as well, she loves all the activities and the benefits, she's lost weight and toned up a lot, she'd definitely like to continue doing that."

Exercising underwater puts less pressure on joints and muscles, which makes it ideal for people who are not used to rigorous exercise.

It can be particularly helpful to overweight people as it does not put strain on tissues in the body which could become damaged by other forms of exercise. Swimming also burns a high amount of calories.

Depending on individual factors including size and speed of swimming it is possible to burn upwards of 400 calories an hour.

Click here for more information on how to get fit in Derbyshire.