Swimming and Lifting

[Brak86]

After finally coming back from my nerve injury, ive decided to only lift 2 days a week instead of 4, BUT on those other 2 days i would swim....i hear swimming is an excellent workout. Here is my split:

Sunday: Swimming
Monday:Lifting
Tuesday:REST
Wednesday:Swimming
Thursday:Lifting
Friday:REST(maybe yoga though)
Saturday:REST

Now i want to maintain that ripped physique i had before my nerve injury when i was just lifting 4 times a week. I hear swimming is an excellent exercise, but does it promote muscle growth or is it simply a cardio killer? I guess i want an athletic body but i want to pack some meat too...i dont want to be skinny. Suggestions?

 

[CowPimp]

Initially, swimming will probably promote some level of hypertrophy, as it offers greater resistance than air. As well, I could forsee furthering this level of hypertrophy by using fins. However, there is a definite resistance maximum in swimming. At a certain point (Probably very quickly), gains will cease.

Once you reach this point, swimming will probably not be conducive to gaining muscle mass. If you do short intense bursts of swimming, you can probably negate the downsides. However, like cardio, your body will start to use lean tissue as fuel if you swim for long periods of time.

Furthermore, swimming in cold water will increase the level of subcutaneous body fat on your phyqique. This is your body's way of trying to make sure you stay warm next time you hop in the pool.

I do, however, think swimming is an awesome form of exercise in general. It requires using your entire body as a unit, offers a greater level of resistance than traditional cardio, promotes a high level of conditioning, and there is virtually no impact on one's joints. In this respect, it is one of the safest exercises out there.

 

[silencer]

what about rowing?

 

[Warren[BigW]]

swimming and lifting at the same time with wrist straps could cause you to drown......................................