Cardio vs Swimming?

jakedavies180
jakedavies180 Posts: 23 Member
edited August 2015 in Fitness and Exercise
Hey, today I went swimming and I burned 30+ more cals than I do in cardio in half the time. Would it be easier to lose weight/fat by swimming everyday compared to cardio? Or swimming 5-6 times a week and cardio 1-2 times a week?

Jake

Replies

  • jakedavies180
    jakedavies180 Posts: 23 Member
    Jake*
  • enterdanger
    enterdanger Posts: 2,447 Member
    Hi Jake. Swimming is a cardio exercise. A really good one that works out like your whole body. It also kicks *kitten* because it's low impact. If you like it, it's fine to do 5-6 times a week. Personally, I get bored if I do the same exercise more than 3 times a week.
  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    Swimming is generally considered a type of cardio. It can burn more or less calories per time unit depending on intensity compared to other forms of cardio like running
  • girlwithcurls2
    girlwithcurls2 Posts: 2,281 Member
    Swimming kicks my butt more than any other exercise I do.
    Plus, it's an awesome core workout, which is something I am always looking for in a good workout.
  • MonkeyMel21
    MonkeyMel21 Posts: 2,396 Member
    Swimming is awesome! I like to mix up my workouts by swimming a few times a month. I would do it more but it's soooo high maintenance, lol. My hair and skin get super dried out for one. And I normally work out in the mornings before work and don't have time for everything that's involved with swimming. Not to mention the marks around my eyes from the goggles, lol.
  • beemerphile1
    beemerphile1 Posts: 1,710 Member
    Swimming is a cardio exercise.
  • gdyment
    gdyment Posts: 299 Member
    Hey, today I went swimming and I burned 30+ more cals than I do in cardio in half the time. Would it be easier to lose weight/fat by swimming everyday compared to cardio? Or swimming 5-6 times a week and cardio 1-2 times a week?

    Jake

    I do both and swimming is tougher to gauge your actual burn. Typically it's much LESS than running because the water is supporting all your weight. You can leisurely swim for an hour and burn virtually the same as sitting on the couch. Same with a bike. You can loaf along on a flat path at 10mph and accomplish nothing.

    So yes, swimming is good but it MUST be hard. You need to be panting, working, intervals, sprints, etc. And even then I would never put it higher than a moderate run.