Thread: Swimming

I am making an effort to swim at least 1/2hr, two times per week
for overall varitety...

I think it allows my muscles to elongate,
by placing my spine in a reduced gravity state,
eliminating spinal compression and strengthening my core

I don't think is is super effective in burning fat,
as better swimmers naturally carry more BF for buoyancy

But it has been fantastic for cardiovascular and shoulder stabilizer reinforcement

Better swimmers naturally carry more body fat for buoyancy? Where did you hear that? I've certainly never seen a chubby olympic swimmer.

Higher BF% might make you more likely to float, but I don't think it would make you any faster...

It's actually my understanding that swimming burns more fat than almost any other cardio exercise, seeing as you use your whole body. More muscles used = more calories burned = better at burning "fat" right?

The following lists running and swimming at different intensities, followed by the METs, and then breaks down into the kilocalories used per hour by a person weighing 110 pounds, 154 pounds, and 198 pounds.

Jogging (5 mph, 12 min mile) METs = 8.6; 430, 600, 774
Running (6 mph, 10 min mile) METs = 10.2; 510, 714, 936
Running (6.7 mph, 9 min mile) METs = 11.3; 565, 791, 1017
Running (7.5 mph, 8 min mile) METs = 12.5; 625, 875, 1125
Running (8.6 mph, 7 min mile) METs = 14.1; 740, 1036, 1335
Swimming METs = 4-8; 200-400+, 280-560+, 360-720+

Katie Boutott, B.S.
Health Educator
Health Iowa/Student Health Service
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^^^^ Here's your info jerky boy...^^^^

The lowest intensity of running in the test, requires
more energy to perform, than the highest intensity of swimming

This is if you are an efficient swimmer though..
A person who flounders in the water, will expend more energy

(My natural instinct tells me that land based exercises use more
large muscle groups to perform, over a greater range of motion,
"Glutes, Quads", working 100% against gravity - therefore burning more cals) -JMO

I can't swim cause everytime I do I get a cold at night.

I like to swim too, but i dont think (just like stated) that is the ideal burning fat exercise.......Maybe because yu are not sweating and in a state of heat...
I even read that swimming is not suggested for bodybuilders because it limits muscle growth....

swimming is the best cardio you can do. PERIOD!

Originally Posted by MyK

swimming is the best cardio you can do. PERIOD!

I agree with this. Especially if one needs cardio and one's legs are trashed from deads of squats, swimming reduces the impact on the knees and fatugued muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Originally Posted by * Legion *

I agree with this. Especially if one needs cardio and one's legs are trashed from deads of squats, swimming reduces the impact on the knees and fatugued muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

It's a great muscle relaxer but is not the perfect cardio exercise...If u want to loose fat, first lower the amt of input calories, and choose a better exercise such as running, cycling,etc...

wrestling maybe?

Originally Posted by squanto

Better swimmers naturally carry more body fat for buoyancy? Where did you hear that? I've certainly never seen a chubby olympic swimmer.

Higher BF% might make you more likely to float, but I don't think it would make you any faster...

It's actually my understanding that swimming burns more fat than almost any other cardio exercise, seeing as you use your whole body. More muscles used = more calories burned = better at burning "fat" right?

Ive never seen a really vascular swimmer.