Swimming instead of regular cardio?

[eck]

So I'm thinking that on top of doing my HIIT(or sometimes instead of), I could go swimming. I used to follow a masters swimming class for months at a time. Basically you are given lap assignments for 1 hour usually coming out to 76-80 25 meter laps.

In the past, when I did BFL, a lot of people discouraged me from swimming as a way to lose bodyfat. But really isn't exercise, exercise? Doesn't it all coming down to burning calories? Why should swimming be any different than doing the elliptical machine?

 

[Var]

I was on the swim team in high school and I can say for sure you'll lose a lot of fat. The problem is, its endurance cardio and you burn up a lot of muscle, too. The point of HIIT is to tap into fat stores with as little muscle loss as possible. I would use it sparingly if your goals are to put on muscle.

 

[Mex]

Doesn't it all coming down to burning calories? Why should swimming be any different than doing the elliptical machine?

Yes, it's all burning calories. And you're working muscles that you usually don't work. It's a great exercise, much better than running or aerobics (sports that damage your joints).

 

[Var]

Originally posted by Mex
Yes, it's all burning calories. And you're working muscles that you usually don't work. It's a great exercise, much better than running or aerobics (sports that damage your joints).

I agree that it's a great exercise. And yes, its low impact. But are you saying that it doesnt matter which type of cardio you do, because "its all burning calories"?

 

[Mex]

Of course it matters what exercise she's doing. But she asked

But really isn't exercise, exercise? Doesn't it all coming down to burning calories?

I'd say what matters first is her health, and second, she wants to lose bodyfat, and swimming will help there. As long as she's training weights, she'll keep the muscle on.

What was your point?

 

[Var]

My point is that doing a lot of endurance cardio (like swimming), can burn up a lot of muscle. Depending on her goals, this may not be what she wants. Obviously she needs to lift weights to gain/maintain muscle, but this will not prevent muscle loss caused by this type of cardio.

Edit: She stated that she was thinking of doing this in place of HIIT. I was pointing out the fact that it is a very different type of exercise than HIIT, with different effects.

 

[Mex]

No, she said she was thinking of adding this to her HIIT.

So I'm thinking that on top of doing my HIIT(or sometimes instead of), I could go swimming.

Of course, we're assuming she already has a good diet, which would be the best way to lose the body fat.

Really, swimming seems unnecessary if she just wants to lose weight, the diet would be the most important thing and I don't know if she understands that.

But if she wants to go swimming for recreation, it's not going to hurt her, and as long as it's not every day, and she continues her HIIT training, it will be useful. Unless she drowns or something

 

[Var]

I agree completely! Since she mentioned that she would sometimes do this in place of HIIT, and that she used to do 76-80 25 meter laps in an hour, I thought it important to point out how this type of cardio can effect muscle gains. I definitely think its a great exercise. I was shredded from it in High School. Unfortunately, I had almost no muscle.

 

[eck]

I understand that diet is important and I eat pretty clean and usually go for 40/40/20. MY goal is to put on muscle and lose bodyfat.

My problem is I just think doing HIIT even 3 days a week isn't doing it for me so I was thinking of adding something else. I was going to reply(before I saw all the followup posts) and ask if swimming will increase the chances of my muscle being used for energy. Would drinking something like Gatorade in between laps every 20 minutes help reduce this though? I'm not a cardio queen(I actually hate it with a passion) but I've been told having something like this across the workout will help with muscle catabolism.

 

[wrestlos]

What's HHIT..??

 

[wrestlos]

sorry HIIT

 

[eck]

HIIT info

Originally posted by wrestlos
What's HHIT..??

Check out

http://www.musclemedia.com/training/hiit.asp


It stands for High Intensity Interval Training

 

[wrestlos]

thanx, no stupid questions right.

 

[kdwa1]

High Intensity Interval Training and I love swimming but probably does burn muscle as well as fat.Great for the heart etc.There are no stupid questions on these boards,all are welcome, of course concerning training, diet and supps.

 

[Mex]

I think the HIIT training should be enough! 3 times a week, definitely. Just watch your diet. No need to go swimming unless you want to.

Swimming will probably use muscle unless you adjust your diet... Specially if you do it often. I think adding swimming to your HIIT training would be counterproductive.

Would drinking something like Gatorade in between laps every 20 minutes help reduce this though?

Err, I doubt it very much.

Just give your body a chance to build the muscle. Rest well, don't fret, the gains will come as long as you train properly. How long have you trained?

 

[oaktownboy]

Originally posted by Var
I agree completely! Since she mentioned that she would sometimes do this in place of HIIT, and that she used to do 76-80 25 meter laps in an hour, I thought it important to point out how this type of cardio can effect muscle gains. I definitely think its a great exercise. I was shredded from it in High School. Unfortunately, I had almost no muscle.

yep that's what happens

 

[eck]

Originally posted by Mex
I think the HIIT training should be enough! 3 times a week, definitely. Just watch your diet. No need to go swimming unless you want to.

Swimming will probably use muscle unless you adjust your diet... Specially if you do it often. I think adding swimming to your HIIT training would be counterproductive.



Err, I doubt it very much.

Just give your body a chance to build the muscle. Rest well, don't fret, the gains will come as long as you train properly. How long have you trained?

I've been training steady 6 days a week since mid April and just recently took 2 1/2 weeks off. I've made significant improvement in inches from pretty much everywhere and taken up some of Jodi's advice on my diet(specifically about adding more EFAs in). I just see others about my size experiencing so much more improvement but I guess it always looks that way when you're not in the person's shoes. I went back home in August and my my mom didn't recognize me at the airport and most of my family gawked but to me, I've lost a 'few inches', no big deal ;>

I'm also at the point where I have more cellulite in the glutes/hams area. I've read this is normal as you shed bodyfat and the fat mobilizes in the 'hard to get rid of' areas and I know this is contributing to me looking everywhere for the extra work I can do to help the cellulite go away faster.

 

[Jim1954]

Couldn't she do HIIT by swimming? One lap slow, next one an all out sprint, just keep it to 15 minutes.

 

[Tha Don]

Originally posted by Jim1954
Couldn't she do HIIT by swimming? One lap slow, next one an all out sprint, just keep it to 15 minutes.

she could...

but that is not the best form of exercise for fat loss

running or cycling is more effective at burning fat while preserving muscle, running and cycling will do a much better job at increasing your metabolic rate... thus burning more carlories throughout the day

peace

 

[Jim1954]

young d,

I won't argue with you about better fat burning types of HIIT, was just thinking this would be one way of doing it.
Changing things up if just to keep things from getting routine.

 

[Mr.Guvernment]

So for someone like me

i do not have alot of visible muscle mass - but i do want to lose some gutt weight - would a swimming rountine be good (as well as diet) to lose some fat around the wasit?

i am currentyl at 37' waist according to a suit fitting place i went to (but i think i am only 36' as they measured really high)- i want to get back to 34"( i sitll buy 34" pants) as i wear them low.

 

[kdwa1]

Originally posted by Mr.Guvernment
So for someone like me

i do not have alot of visible muscle mass - but i do want to lose some gutt weight - would a swimming rountine be good (as well as diet) to lose some fat around the wasit?

i am currentyl at 37' waist according to a suit fitting place i went to (but i think i am only 36' as they measured really high)- i want to get back to 34"( i sitll buy 34" pants) as i wear them low.

Yes swimming will help alot especially if at a good non stop pace for 10-15 minutes but you gotta be on a good carb management diet.Iv'e lost an inch in the last month cycling carbs and swimming but also some mass.I think cardio needs to be managed also by not over doing it.Try to find the balance.