Swimming is such a great workout for keeping everything in shape. I was a distance swimmer in college. Wasn't great - but I never gained the freshman ten. Instead I gained the teaching forty. (Which - thankfully has disappeared)

Anyway if you can find someone to teach you those the other strokes they are really good for maintaing a balance. Breaststroke works your chest and inner thigh more than freestyle ever will. And butterfly is awesome for back and abs.

I tend to do mostly freestyle. I hate back stroke and refuse to do it now. But I always throw in at least a few lengths of the others. That is when I can get my butt to the pool. Our's are outside. I find it really hard to go when it's cold and dark.

V.