Getting the most out of swimming

Experts say swimming is one of the best forms of exercise. Regular swimming builds endurance, muscle strength and cardio-vascular fitness. And because you're using most of the major muscle groups, it gives your body a great overall workout.

It's also a fantastic way to trim - swimming burns about three calories per mile per pound of bodyweight.

Making it interesting, though, is one of the problems. Ploughing up and down lanes against the clock can be a bit, well, boring.

So New You's Katie Houlbrook took the plunge to find out how to make the most out of swimming.