Is swimming laps in a pool better than treadmill?

linzilu1982

Hi everyone! I am new to this whole fitness pal and I am on day 4 of my diet! I am going strong and have ended up in the negative each day! I have decided I need to lose this weight and not let it define who I am. With that being said I am eating healthy and two nights ago I went to the gym and worked out on the treadmill and eliptical and then I swam laps and treaded water for 2 hours. When I came home to put all of my exercise in I noticed I burnt more calories in the pool then I did on the others.

So I am wondering if this is really true because I did not feel like I worked out I just swam and I am scared to get into the routine of just working out in the pool everyday. Any advice would be great!

mirandamatte

Yep because you are working alot more muscles swimming wheares the treadmill is just working your legs.

eta: Im surprised you didn't feel like it was a workout, when I swam competitevly those were some intense practices. Swimming laps always leaves me winded and feeling as I just worked. Are you swimming a specific stroke??

hroush

It all depends on how hard you push yourself. I can push myself a lot harder on a treadmill than I can in the pool.

linzilu1982

Yesterday I made it appoint in the shallow end when I could touch to jog until I would no longer touch then I would swim the rest of the way. This did cause me to become winded and I do notice when I get out that I am very hungry and sometimes my legs get shaky.

javamonster

I swam for the first time yesterday in about a year - first time since starting on here, and first time ever wearing a heartrate monitor! I did laps (I alternate breaststroke/crawl because of my neck) and my max HR was higher than it would be doing what I would consider a good workout on the treadmill. Water is resistance, so you do tend to work harder. I know with horses, just a short swim will have as much benefit as a longer session of actually working on land. That said, I believe it is important to mix things up, as you need some weigh-bearing exercise to maintain your bone density, which swimming/pool exercise doesn't give you!

Either way I was way more tired after 45 mins in the pool yesterday than I would be after the same time on the treadmill!

sbwood888

Well, I know that swimming is a no impact exercise. If you have any issues with your knees or hips or feet (pain, etc) you might find that the swimming is more comfortable.

Angeladobush

I actually burn fewer calories while swimming laps.....I believe it has something to do with thermogenics.....the water acts as a coolant for your body, and that means fewer calories are burned.....I usually swim when I want a workout but need a break.....good luck!

cmbneeley

i think it depends on what your body is used ro and how hard you push yourself. Swimming and running/jogging on a treadmill use different sets of muscle groups. Doing both will get you a really well-rounded workout-- I like to alternate water aerobics, zumba, HIIT/RIPPED class, and weight training throughout the week. Mostly because those are classes that my membership to my alma mater's fitness classes are-- but it's been working for me.

dobergfell

Swimming tends to burn more calories than running primarily because of water resistance. You are not just propelling yourself forward, you are fighting against the water instead of just thin air. Now it will of course vary based on how hard to work at each exercise. One more advantage of swimming...low impact!

SLaw4215

Sounds like exercising in the pool is giving you a pretty good work out! I don't know the answer to you question. My grandmother used to teach water exercise classes well into her 80's and her retirement community pool. One of the better benefits of swimming and doing other exercises in the pool is that it's easier on your joints (less shock/direct impact on the knees) and because you are always working against water, you get the benefit of resistance training and are working multiple muscles at once.

Jellyphant

When I choose swimming over dancing or jogging, I.. doggy paddle cause I don't know any specific stroke techniques. But I hardcore doggy paddle and I KNOW that if I wasn't in the water, that I'd be covered in sweat. I can feel all my muscles working and try to wiggle in every possible way when I swim for maximum burn. You'll be underwater, so no shame! Heehee~

ericapledger

Well the pool keeps you cooled down and you dont notice that you are sweating while swimming. Its also easier on your joints. That might be the reason you felt like it wasnt as hard.

Wuggums

I swim regularly and I usually feel the same way - that swimming doesn't "feel" as difficult as some of the other workouts I do. However, I was surprised when I used my HRM in the pool (my Polar FT4 is water resistant and can easily handle a swim as long as you don't push any buttons under water). The calorie burn per my HRM was quite a bit lower than what is shown on MFP. I typically do a straight 30 minutes without stopping - and I swim in an Endless Pool, so no flip turns - and I typically burn about 200 calories. For me, the calorie burn ends up being similar to a nice, brisk 30 minute walk.