Excellent gift, no mall lines -- swimming

BLOOMINGTON, Ind., Nov. 27 (UPI) -- No mall line is required to give one of the greatest gifts parents can give themselves and their children -- swimming lessons, a U.S. fitness expert says.

"It's the best total body workout you can get, and it's suitable for all ages, ranging from toddlers to the elderly," Emily Ward, director of aquatics at the Indiana University's School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, said in a statement. "Swimming opens up a new world of health opportunities."

In most communities, swimming lessons are available for children and adults.

"If there is a pool, then you can find lessons," Ward advised.

However, compared with children, learning to swim is more challenging for adults, but not impossible.

"Kids are fearless," Kellen Edelbrock, assistant director of aquatics at Indiana University said. "With adults, you can see their brains working and watch as they put their head in the water."

Ward and Edelbrock say people of any age can learn to swim, but the amount of time it takes for adults to learn to swim varies from person to person.