Hey Swimmers!!

petstorekitty
petstorekitty Posts: 592 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
How good of an exercise is swimming really?
I hear that for some reason it's supposed to be fantastic exercise like no other (!!!), but is it really?

What does it do that makes it so fabulous?
How would swimming laps be better for me than jogging or lifting?

Serious question here. I have the opportunity to do swimming for exercise this summer and wondering it it would be worth the effort, not to mention the fact I'd have to buy a suit >_<

So, for all you swimmers, what benefits do you see from it?

Thanks in advance :):)
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Replies

  • SwimSoccerTaxi
    SwimSoccerTaxi Posts: 98 Member
    My daughter is a competitive swimmer and I will tell you with utmost certainty that it is an amazing exercise that uses ALL parts of your body. There is minimal stress to your body (other then shoulders but that comes with MANY hours of strenuous exercise daily) and those with joint issues will experience success. I suggest you get instruction on proper stroke technique (even check the internet) and research some "sets" which is the way you will swim (eg. 50 freestyle on 1 minute times 5 or do a kick set with a flutterboard and do freestyle kick, breaststroke kick or dolphin kick).

    Swimsuits.....check the label and get a suit with NO lycra, spandex, nylon or any other fabric!!!!!! Polyester is the ONLY fabric that will hold up. Speedo Endruance will last (it does have lycra but it's long lasting). Invest the money (usually 65-80 for a good one) and get it with a snug fit as when it gets wet it loosens.

    I wish I liked swimming (other then water parks and playing at the beach) as the bodies on these swimmers is insane!!! I'm doing Insanity in hopes I wont look so pitiful at the beach with them this summer :)

    Good luck!!!
  • petstorekitty
    petstorekitty Posts: 592 Member
    Wow thank you for all that info!

    I will defo check out the sets and suits. And if my HRM can go under water...

    I like swimming but I hate cold water and I'm a total surf shorts and tank at the beach kinda girl. No ocean for me!

    I did P90x and really loved it. I didn't finish the program but it was a lot of fun and I did see results. I know Insanity is by the same people so I'd imagine it's good.
  • Macstraw
    Macstraw Posts: 896 Member
    Swimming works the entire body, plus you can do sets to target specific areas. Legs weak? Do kicking sets. Want to build strength in your arms & shoulders? Pull sets will accomplish that. You can do different strokes too. Swimming helps improve breathing, I regularly exceed the norms for my age when I take pulmonary function tests (usually around 120% of expected lung capacity for my age). It's much safer for most of your joints as you are not receiving the jolts that you get by running. I swim a little over 3 miles a day 4-5 days a week (most weeks) & have not had any shoulder issues. If you enjoy swimming it is a fantastic exercise, get yourself a waterproof music player & short cord ear buds and you'l wonder why you haven't been doing this all along....
  • Jennvandemark
    Jennvandemark Posts: 179 Member
    I swim 5xs a week for about 40 mins. I wear my HRM and can burn 250 calories in that 40 mins. It uses every muscle in your body. I love it because I find it relaxing. I don't use it as my only exercise though. I still use the treadmil and lift weights on the same days I swim. I can feel my shoulders really getting a workout plus it helps with learning to control my breathing. If you are not sure about it use it as the go to workout when you need a break from the same old routine.
  • Macstraw
    Macstraw Posts: 896 Member
    They make HRM's that are waterproof, I've seen a few mentioned on the swimmers group here on MFP. As for suits, I wear regular trunks (what the kids on my son's swim team call a "drag" suit because it's not one of the form fitting racing suits so it creates drag in the water), wear whatever you're comfortable with to work out in. If you really end up liking it & join a Master's program to race you can look into racing suits then........
  • Macstraw
    Macstraw Posts: 896 Member
    I swim 5xs a week for about 40 mins. I wear my HRM and can burn 250 calories in that 40 mins. It uses every muscle in your body. I love it because I find it relaxing. I don't use it as my only exercise though. I still use the treadmil and lift weights on the same days I swim. I can feel my shoulders really getting a workout plus it helps with learning to control my breathing. If you are not sure about it use it as the go to workout when you need a break from the same old routine.

    ^^ This on controlling your breathing. Learning to do so in the water makes you understand the process more, so it's easier to control your breathing when you're doing other aerobic exercise, like running or biking.....
  • lilred806
    lilred806 Posts: 195 Member
    Swimming is great. I have always loved it. My husband started swimming recently and it kicked his butt. He has run marathons and stays pretty fit and it was a great addition for him. I have been avoiding swimming mostly because I don't want to buy a suit at my current weight.
  • aquaventure
    aquaventure Posts: 29
    I used to swim laps when i was younger (mid 30's) as my primary exercise and yes, you get in shape. You have to push yourself just as with any other exercise to go faster, longer. I loved it as my mind could go blank and I could crank out the laps. Now I have started swimming again at 55 and after 3 shoulder surgeries it is taking a bit more to crank out the laps. I am surprised that it's coming back like it has although I am doing the swimming with other exercising.
  • DanaJ1983
    DanaJ1983 Posts: 14
    I was a competitive swimmer for 13 years and coached as well. Swimming, like any other sport, is as beneficial as you make it. If you're moving at a leisurely pace you probably aren't going to get a very good work out in but if you do sets it can have a great benefit while working both your upper and lower body. Almost every pool I've ever been in has a clock which counts seconds. you can use the clock to measure the amount of time it takes you to swim a lap or you can use it to time your breaks in between swimming. From there you can say before hand I want to swim 10 laps with 10 seconds rest between laps, this will help you not to give up when you get tired. I also like to have variety when I swim so I will do kick sets in between longer distance swimming.

    As far as suits I wouldn't see any problem with a spandex suit for swimming once or twice a week. The key to these kind of suits is to make sure that the behind is lined. If it isn't lined it wont last long, and isn't worth the money you would pay for it. If you are going to be swimming more than twice a week a polyester suit is totally worth the investment but beware that they fit differently than normal swim suits.
  • rfphoenix
    rfphoenix Posts: 4
    I swam competitively for years and then became a lifeguard. If done right, you'll get a killer workout. It's really easy to not push yourself though if you don't have a coach yelling at you to go faster.

    There are lots of benefits to it though! Whole body workout with zero impact on your joints being the major one.
  • LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo
    LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo Posts: 3,634 Member
    I love swimming and I consider it as one of my favorite sport. I do it twice a month since I don't have access to a pool at home or gym. One thing I like about swimming is that its gentle on the joints and a perfect exercise for those who have joint pains or minor injuries. Plus its good for the lungs.
  • bioniccheese
    bioniccheese Posts: 43
    As a child who was petrified of water, I have never been into swimming. It's been 15 years since I have been in a pool. I do want to try and learn though, but the fear is most certainly still there, especially as I cannot do it.

    Really think I'll get some lessons, it could really be beneficial with my hips in the state they are.
  • Scott15Fit
    Scott15Fit Posts: 71
    I swim regularly. It's a great full body workout in comparison to my walking (running hopefully soon) and cycling.
    It doesn't burn quite as many calories as running but it is alot less stress on your body which makes it a great sport for cross-training, for people with injuries, those who don't want to risk injury or just because you enjoy it.
    A rough comparison of calories burnt:
    http://www.nutristrategy.com/caloriesburned.htm
  • c_ansari
    c_ansari Posts: 57 Member
    I've really bad knees so I took up swimming about six weeks ago. I go about 4x/week for 40-60 minutes each time. I wear my HRM every time and usually burn about 10 calories/minute. I'm loving it so far.
  • MrGonzo05
    MrGonzo05 Posts: 1,120 Member
    How good of an exercise is swimming really?

    For me, involves flailing wildly and screaming "help! help! help!" It's a great burn!
    What does it do that makes it so fabulous?

    It provides a chance to walk around in public with my shirt off.

    How would swimming laps be better for me than jogging or lifting?

    Do all the things.

    :smile:
  • blisster96
    blisster96 Posts: 4
    Great exercise,
    I swim 5-6 times a week for about and 90min to 120min and it is awesome. It works your whole body and is lower impact than most cardio, But unless you have a good heated pool or an indoor one you might want to wait until summer :)
    Also it burns roughly 800 calories per workout that I do.
  • Macstraw
    Macstraw Posts: 896 Member
    As a child who was petrified of water, I have never been into swimming. It's been 15 years since I have been in a pool. I do want to try and learn though, but the fear is most certainly still there, especially as I cannot do it.

    Really think I'll get some lessons, it could really be beneficial with my hips in the state they are.

    I'm a lifelong swimmer, had both hips replaced 13 years ago - getting back in the pool was the best thing I ever did. Swimming has helped strengthen the muscles around the joints & I have much more flexibility in the hips. Get lessons, go to an instructor who is Red Cross certified - they will work with you at your pace......
  • SA747
    SA747 Posts: 5
    I do about everything in the gym i.e. lifting, elliptical, treadmill, sit-ups, etc. and I can say that swimming kicks my butt. I swim 2x per week for 2500 yds and burn about 800 cal. It works everything and is easy on the joints. My son is a competitive swimmer and has the 6 pack and -0- body fat to go with it. I think it is a fantastic addition to
  • Rockstar_JILL
    Rockstar_JILL Posts: 514 Member
    Swimming is my first love! I can only swim in the summer here too...we have a public pool that is only open from late June to the end of August...I try to swim as much as possible....It creates very muscular legs! I never knew I had that many muscles till I swam that much! A great all over body toner!!
  • gerard54
    gerard54 Posts: 1,107 Member
    I just like it because I feel its more fun, and you can switch like one lap use only arms and the other only legs...
  • kimleroy
    kimleroy Posts: 50 Member
    Swimming is a fantastic work out!! I was a competitive swimmer in high school and that put me in incredible shape (granted I swam about 25 hours a week, plus lifting and running). I've been getting back into it the past couple months and I love it. Right now I'm just doing it once a week as a change of pace from my normal workout, but the calorie burn from it is fantastic! Love love love it.
  • Rockstar_JILL
    Rockstar_JILL Posts: 514 Member
    I was a swimmer all my teen years...competitively, then I lifeguarded for 2 summers...then as I hit 40, I learned to love swimming all over again...I still believe it is the best exercise there is! and you dont' notice the sweating! You are in water! ;)
  • SanteMulberry
    SanteMulberry Posts: 3,202 Member
    I'm in the pool twice a week for an hour each time. One thing I do recommend is that you attend a class in aquatic fitness---at least, at first. I found that when I did lap swimming, i would just la-la along at a leisurely pace. I enjoyed it, because I have always loved the water but didn't get much of a workout. I see lots of obese people cruising along at a leisurely pace, doing lap swimming and at least they are doing something. But to really kick yourself into high gear, you need to have an instructor barking out orders---they will push you to a much better workout (and it doesn't hurt that your are competing with your classmates :wink: ). At our pool, there are four different fitness levels for beginners all the way to "Aquatic Boot Camp" (I watched one day, it is brutal). I would imagine most public pools have something similar. I recently "graduated" to regular "aquacize"---I was really worn out after but unless you get pushed a bit, you will never get more fit. It is great--they work all of the muscle groups in your body.
  • pucenavel
    pucenavel Posts: 972 Member
    I have been a swimmer since I joined swim team in high school. I was never a great swimmer, but I am a good swimmer.

    I would have to say that swimming is like anything else. You get out what you put in. Walking & running are related the same way swimming leisurely and swimming intensively are. Most people can walk without getting fatigued, but anyone who is not a runner will tire quickly from running. Most people (at least those that can swim) can casually side stroke or breast stroke across a pool, back and forth, making slow turns at the wall, but only conditioned swimmers can sustain a strong freestyle stroke for long periods of time.

    When I started running a few years ago, I was already a good swimmer and could easily swim 2000 yds in around 35 minutes. I couldn't run 100 yards without being so winded I couldn't talk and completely rubbery in the legs. So, to say that swimming is "a better workout" should be taken with a grain of salt. An hour of "regular intensity" swimming for me burns about 500-600 calories (based on HR). The same hour done at the "equivalent intensity" for running is 600-700 and 700+ for cycling. But, I am a better swimming than I am a runner or a cycler - I've been doing it a lot longer and I'm just more efficient in the water than on land.

    Impact wise, it is certainly less damaging on the body than running, but only if you are doing it right. Swimming with bad form can be just as bad as running with bad form. My shoulders take a beating, but I swim about 3-4 miles in a single workout one day a week. Personally, I think cycling is better on my joints than either running or swimming.

    Technique is critical - just as it is with running, cycling, weight lifting, and a whole bunch of other activities. If you can, find a Masters club or another "team" environment where you can get a little coaching and structured workouts.

    Oh, and take the time to learn flip turns - it's worth it.
  • pucenavel
    pucenavel Posts: 972 Member
    oh, and...


    Open Water Rules!! :tongue:
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    ...There are lots of benefits to it though! Whole body workout with zero impact on your joints being the major one...

    This!

    Although there's no reason to have to choose only one exercise. OP - You mentioned running and lifting, too. Why not do all three? In fact, my heavy lifting has improved my running times. And swimming would be a great way to supplement your running while giving your joints a rest. :flowerforyou:
  • Raythomas1
    Raythomas1 Posts: 68
    I love/hate swimming. I love doing it, but I hate doing it properly because I hate water in my ears! >:(
  • SanteMulberry
    SanteMulberry Posts: 3,202 Member
    I love/hate swimming. I love doing it, but I hate doing it properly because I hate water in my ears! >:(

    I feel the same way about getting it in my eyes. :smile:
  • Kimbles67
    Kimbles67 Posts: 13 Member
    I love swimming. I use it as part of cross training. I run, cycle and I do fitness classes. I was swimming a mile twice/three times a week but cut back due to half marathon training. The beauty of swimming is that you can have a full on workout even after a hard run session the day before and its easy on the joints.

    I did my first open water swim last year and loved it and will continue with those as well as pool swimming.
  • fishgutzy
    fishgutzy Posts: 2,807 Member
    Swimming is a big part of my routine. Degenerative osteoarthritis in many joints eliminates any aerobic exercise that involves impact on the feet or sitting for a more than 15 minutes.
    But I can swim a lot and do. 5km last night.(>1500 kcal, doubled my food calories for the day) The most on one day is 7.3km.

    Persistence is key. The first time I swam for fitness, about a decade ago, I only managed 6 laps. Now I do 110.

    The best part about swimming is you don't feel yourself sweating :bigsmile:

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