Swimming

janemem
janemem Posts: 575 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
This may be a silly question but is swimming any good for building muscle?

Replies

  • Plates559
    Plates559 Posts: 869 Member
    There are some initial gains from using the muscles differently, and also due to the resistance water provides. That being said the gains are VERY minimal, due to the fact you can't really increase the resistance of water other than adding packets of instant pudding.
  • Plates559
    Plates559 Posts: 869 Member
    Elite level swimmers also lift weights to allow them to grow stronger thus being faster in the water.
  • janemem
    janemem Posts: 575 Member
    you can't really increase the resistance of water other than adding packets of instant pudding.

    Lmao! :laugh:

    Thank you, all of what you said makes sense. I need to get some muscle tone into my arms and legs (I'm 'skinny fat') but at the moment I haven't really got the strength for weights. I hike around 6 or 7 miles a day or jog at home for 30 minutes but I'm seeing no difference to my (lack of) muscles so that's why I thought maybe swimming would be better.
  • Plates559
    Plates559 Posts: 869 Member
    It could be your start, and a GREAT form of cardio (except its winter soon so find a heated pool).

    You could also start with a basic push up routine to build up some strength and confidence, then move to free weights. Where ever you start is fine, as long as progression is your goal.
  • janemem
    janemem Posts: 575 Member
    Floor push-ups are beyond me, always have been but I suppose I could manage some against the wall.

    I was thinking of using some 2ltr water bottles as weights but I don't actually know what to do with them??
  • hdjjones
    hdjjones Posts: 130 Member
    There are styrofoam "weights" like dumbbells that are used to increase the resistance so you can increase the resistance up to a point.
  • Plates559
    Plates559 Posts: 869 Member
    Here you go:

    http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2012/07/19/sandbag-workout/
  • janemem
    janemem Posts: 575 Member
    Here you go:

    http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2012/07/19/sandbag-workout/

    That's way too hard core for me at the moment, lol but certainly something to aim for. I think I'd better start off small and work my way up :happy:
  • janemem
    janemem Posts: 575 Member
    There are styrofoam "weights" like dumbbells that are used to increase the resistance so you can increase the resistance up to a point.

    Thanks for that, I'm going to Google them now. :smile:

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