Swimming vs running: Which is "better"?

swimming defines muscles all over your body whereas running focuses more on specific muscle areas. depending on your technique, swimming can be a cardio and a strenght training which is one of this sports' best features!

Swimming works your arms. I find running is more forgiving with your form too.

I was a swimmer back when I was younger. I run now because its easier to just walk out my front door and run. If I had a pool, I might be swimming more.

Find a friend that can ride a bike and you can do a group triathlon.

Swimming for me! In the pool, in safe rivers, lakes and the sea - a beautiful, exhilarating way to stay fit and find hidden depths within yourself.

Punch it into the database and see what comes up as the best burn? I know my friends who do swimming, water aerobics etc get great calorie burns. I would tend to think swimming is good because you are getting support fo joints etc, whereas running can cause issues with joints. Also water is FUN

BOTH have their good fit qualities, BUT for the MOST calorie BURN, it is SWIMMING!!!!! :glasses: :glasses: :smokin: :smokin:

Besides, ever seen a runner in just swimwear?

This is an interesting observation, as I am a runner and I look very good in my swimsuit. What was your point exactly?

To answer the OP, whichever YOU want to do. If you aren't enjoying yourself, you won't do it. And the most important part is that you get your exercise in. Good Luck!

Both are great claorie burners, so it really depends on preference. To motivate you both, try doing both activities together at least once a week. Then you can part ways to enjoy your preference on the other days. You get quality time together and decent cross training. Best wishes to you both.

The better one is whichever one you prefer doing.

/thread

This. With maybe an addition of "and can do on a regular basis."

I'd love swimming if I had access to a pool. I'd love mountain biking if I had a bike. I love running because all I need are shoes.

I prefer swimming.

I love running. I get a HUGE runner's high after running 5K or more. I can't swim all that well, and all I get from swimming is a fear of drowning and a bit shakey. Easy choice for me! Also, osteporosis runs in the family, so I should be focusing on load-bearing exercise, including running.

I agree that either could be fun if you do it with your partner. Do them for fun rather than exercise sometimes too.

I do a bit of both to vary which muscles I'm using.. Depends which you feel burns more!!

I guess I have to weight until I feel well though since I'm fighting off something. I just really want to get active soon.

You take care. If you're feeling a bit poorly just do gentle exercise, nice and simple. Maybe brisk walking. Get well soon x

I LOVE swimming but my main stroke is a sort of breast stroke I taught myself when I was a kid. I don't have great co-ordination and I learn to do things by feel, rather than by listening to someone say, "do this with your right hand and shift your balance to the left and then with your left foot..." Anyway, after getting a HRM I found that my preferred breast stroke was quite lazy and I burn more calories when running. It turns out, though, that it's a good stroke for triathlons- it doesn't work your legs very hard so they're ready when you have to bicycle and run.

So, it depends on your stroke. I'm sure Michael Phelps burns more than I do! Any time we travel you'll find me in the hotel pool (unless it's so tiny I can't do laps). I alternate swimming with running back and forth across the pool in water up to my waist. THAT's a workout!

But for me, cross-training is best because it gives some muscles a workout and some a "day off". No reason you can't run with your boyfriend some days, swim on others.

What does his schedule have to do with it?

The better one is whichever one you prefer doing.

/thread

This. With maybe an addition of "and can do on a regular basis."

I'd love swimming if I had access to a pool. I'd love mountain biking if I had a bike. I love running because all I need are shoes.

QFT!

Whatever one you will continue to do, it the right one. Something that you hate doing - probably not the right one.

I run now, and i used to swim. If I had a pool, I would do both. Because both are great for your body, and I like variety.