Swimming for exercise

I'm really curious about this too. I've always been active in water sports (skiing, wake boarding, etc.) but lately I've been wishing I could get into swimming laps. I always hear about how it's great exercise but I don't know many people who are active in it.

Hi. I'm a swimmer. Right now I swim 3 or 4 days a week for about 45-60 minutes. It is hard for me to answer your question though in regards to change in physique because I've been swimming pretty much all my life. So, I definitely have a swimmer's physique...broad shoulders, strong arms, back, and solid, strong legs. Unfortunately (my own fault) I also have about 15 extra pounds on me. In terms of getting an idea of what swimming will do to you check out the regular swimmers around you. You'll notice they do have different body types (or maybe it's different developed muscle groups) than runners. Full disclosure: I have been known to say that when I want to lose a few pounds, I run. It's harder for me to do that nowadays too though due to injuries over time.

Having said all the above, right now I am training for an ocean swim (Alcatraz to Aquatic Park in San Francisco). So I am trying to increase my yardage. I do notice my arms looking a lot stronger as well as my waist getting a bit more defined. Hmm...

Also, when I was younger I lifeguarded and taught swimming lessons. So, don't hesitate to sign up for adult swimming lessons! You could gain a lot of technique and endurance. Or, if you are beyond swimming lessons level, sign up for your local Masters swim program. Don't be intimidated by the name. It simply means 18 years and up. You'd get a lot of stroke techniquefrom a coach.

I'm not a swimming expert, but don't hesitate to message me with a question.

I've been swimming recently. I'm not really built for it, and it's hard for me to do it fast enough to get more than moderate cardio, but I like the fact that it works my upper body, and works my lower body and torso in a very different way from other things that I do.

I have been swimming for only a week now, twice a day, two hours in total.
My calves slimmed down and strenghtened. My arms and my legs have gained muscle mass.
Swimming is a great exercise! You should do it!

Hi there, I've been on here for about a month.... Other than cycling I've been swimming 3-4 times per week and each time I try to do a minimum of 45 lengths in a 25mtre pool....I've noticed in such a short time that I can get another 10 lengths in within the hour (and this is at a reasonably steady pace/ breaststroke)..... The first couple of weeks I didn't really notice much however the last couple of weeks I've lost about 3 inch off my waist and another inch off my hips, and the weights starting to come off at a good pace....so overall I'm really pleased. Hope that helps

Swimming is good cardio and total body if you use your kick not just relying on arms. Remember to use kick board for a few laps at least to get good workout on legs You should kick on stomach and back. When you aree on back it works the quad more hamstring on front. To add abs while kicking extend your arms out straight. also to change it up face in with kick board and one arm at a time works abs more Remember just like running some sprints are benificial

I can't really answer your question about physique changes since I have only just started swimming again myself. I used to teach lessons and lifeguard but I haven't been in the water in about 18 months or so. As for dealing with water up your nose, try blowing bubbles out your nose while your face is in the water. When swimming competitively your supposed to breath out through your nose while your face is in the water and in through your mouth once your face is back out of the water. Sometimes adults who are not used to doing this find it hard. If so as funny as this sounds, hum. When you hum it causes air (& therefore bubbles) to come out of your nose. If air is going out, water cannot go in. As others have said, I am not an expert but I am a certified swimming teacher (AKA Water Safety Instructor) so feel free to message me with any questions.

:flowerforyou:

After recently having a hip issue from running, I've gone back to swimming laps to get in my cardio workouts. I've always loved swimming, and it's great non-impact cardio workout. I'm not sure that it will change my physique all that much -- I still need to do toning exercises to firm up, but it helps with burning a ton of calories in about the same amount of time as running. I've also been doing some water jogging, which also burns alot of calories and you don't have to "swim" to do it!

Ahhh yes water is my life! Swim, snorkel, scuba, I AM NAUTI!

And this is a stupid question, but I've never been able to go under water without holding my nose, how can I train myself to go under (like a normal person!)?

Wear noseplugs. I've worn them since I was very little - every time I go in a pool and get even a little bit of water up my nose, I get a sinus infection....happened when I was 5, still happens now when I'm 36. I pretty much never get in a pool without them (and on the off chance, I do, it's because I'm doing nothing more than floating in the sun.

I'm pretty sure it's the chlorine that is the issue, but having worn noseplugs for 30 years, I can't stand the sensation of water going up my nose, so I even wear them for open water swims (for my triathlons/practices)...and truth be told, you don't really know what's in that lake water, so it's probably safer to not inhale any of it. LOL :laugh:

These are the ones that I use...I've never had an issue with them coming off in the water (this pair does NOT float - some do, but they're much more noticeable than these):


I also wear goggles and a brightly colored swim cap whenever I'm doing laps or open water swimming (the goggles to prevent eye irritation and for sighting during open water swimming....and the swim cap to keep my hair contained/somewhat dry-ish and for safety so people can see me when I'm in open water).

I hope that helps some

and for all those that might have a lower level of cardio or cannot do the head turn properly such as myself, get a snorkel. I swim 30 minutes non stop laps using a snorkel. I can breath whenever I need to and can get a pretty good cardio workout without having to feel like I am dying. Do I look goofy? No idea, im underwater.

http://youtu.be/CUYHHWB3yiE

I'm a medium-bad swimmer, but I do it to cross train and get some activity on days things hurt (or if I feel tense, it's amazing for that). I think, though, that it'd be good to have one stroke ready to go. Two are better, so you don't risk overuse injuries, if you're going to be doing it often and have vulnerabilities. Why not take lessons?

As "last-ten-pounder", I think you're in a tough spot for using it for weight loss, though. Can you do strength + reduce cals from diet, as well?

(fyi i just have a breaststroke and a crazy looking, slightly panicked almost-front-crawl. and a backstroke which is impossible to do in a public pool. and a side stroke, which people look at you funny if you do.)

Swimming is very good for flexibility, but not so good for heart fitness, unless it is done fast, to increase the heart-rate.

Try interval training - 30 seconds of fast swimming with a 30 secs rest for say, 10 times.

Increase this gradually to 60 secs or more, while decreasing the rest periods.

Another good fitness exercise in the pool is running!
Hold a rubber tube around, under the armpits and try to "run" with big strides, across the pool with the depth at about chest /shoulder level.