Does swimming really not helpy you loose weight?

I apologize in advance for my (somewhat) rambling...

I'm a competitive swimmer, and I swim on my own at the YMCA when I'm out of my season. I think part of the reason that swimming doesn't help everyone burn calories, is that you need to swim fast, and long to really burn calories. At the YMCA, I've noticed so many people go to the pool, stay in there for an hour, but only get at most 20 laps in (1 lap being once across the pool). While this is good exercise, and is good for back joints/muscles, it's not enough to really burn tons of calories.

The tricky thing about swimming is that it is so so dependant on your technique. While humans are natural walkers/runners, we are not natural swimmers. In order to swim at the level needed to really burn calories (rotary breathing, flip turns help, strong kick for at least the freestyle) it takes a lot of practice. Also, the pool is only 25yds (50 if you're lucky) long. For someone who's not a great swimmer, just doing 4 laps is an effort, but it wont burn tons of calories, because its still a short distance. If you want to use swimming to burn calories, you DEFINITELY need to make sure you have solid technique in at least the freestyle (while it burns less than butterfly, its better than breaststroke and backstroke and is easier to learn and go fast with). It also takes a lot of effort in the pool (more than running - I know, I did track too) to really get your heart rate up. When you run you have to push your body against gravity, while in the pool you are essentially weightless, which is easier on your heart.

[Incidentally, this is also why swimmers tend not to be as lean as runners. We still burn tons of calories during training, but most of us are pigs, and we eat TONS of food (my high school team called themselves the eating team - think Michael Phelps). Our weight doesn't make a ton of difference (and actually fat floats, which is an advantage), and we have larger muscles in our upper bodies, because we use our backs and arms. Runners have to push off against gravity, so every extra pound slows them down. They want to be as lean as possible, so they pay close attention to their diet and exact weight. They don't want the big upper body muscles, because it adds weight.]

However, once you get the technique down and get used to pushing yourself mentally (I find that the mental aspect of swimming is actually the hardest - it's easy to get bored, slow down, or think that the pool is longer than it is), swimming can burn more calories that a lot of other exercises, because you use your entire body. This past season, I had 2 hour swim workouts 6-7 days a week. In one workout (between 200 & 240 laps, which I know most people would consider a lot, but once you get your heart up to it, I find it easier than running 3 miles) I would burn from 1,300 to 1,500 calories. Just doing swimming, I lost 12 pounds in less thank 6 weeks. Swimming CAN burn calories if you stay in the pool long enough (at least 1 hour) and push yourself.

Sorry that was so long.... and best of luck to any swimmers

ripplesofaqua18 said it all. It is just much easier for people to take up running then take up swimming, so it might be easier to burn more calories since you can go longer and harder on land. For me, since I have never been a runner and always been a swimmer, I can do way more in the pool. As you get to be a better swimmer (i.e. more efficient) you will burn less calories for each length of the pool because you are not using as much effort, but you will also be swimming more in less time. There is definitely a difference in how hungry you feel after swimming vs. doing a land workout, and I just read a journal article about it recently but can't remember exactly what it was. I know there is a difference in serum glucose levels after each, and there will be a difference in how energy is expended because of oxygen consumption. Basically, as long as you are aware of how much you are eating after you swim, it should be a great way to lose weight.

.No, there isn't. Only a calorie deficit can help with weight loss.

Why does your workout need to be related to weight loss? Why not work out for the enjoyment of it in of itself.

Not sure about weight loss/calorie burn, but when I'm in a good swimming routine, I tend to like how my body looks. It just seems to use the right muscles to stretch things out to give me a leaner look.

I have bad knees and used to only do nordic walking for an hour - burned about 275 cal.
Now I hit the pool and do water jogging, squats, and Chris Powell's HIIT, modified for the pool of course. In 30 min. I burn about 600 cal.

IMHO the pool is great for burning calories!

Hi Rachel, I think swimming is a great exercise because your using a lot of muscles in your body and getting your heart rate up. I have read and been told that if you are swimming at a moderate rate you can burn anywhere from 400-500 calories per hour (on average everybody's body is different some may burn more calories and some may burn less). I actually have had a pretty good experience with mixing swimming in with cardio, I lost 11 pounds in a couple of weeks and have kept it off. I think any exercise where you get up and move around and get your heart rate up is better then not doing anything at all!
Best of luck!

Swimming can help you lose weight. But you have to have a plan and study the strokes. Become efficient in the water and you will learn to love swimming. I swim three times a week for 90 minutes. The have three main sets. Warmup, main and cool down. Warmup is almost always 1000m or yds. The main set is almost always anaerobic and lasts 45 to 50 mins. Not everyone swims at our intensity but out of 60 swimmers 3% carry some extra weight because of their eating habits. I could easily eat 3 hamburgers after swimming but I grab a protein shake and eat an egg white sandwich instead. I have to control myself all day. It's discipline for me as well. If you were to look at the bodies of the 50-70yo in our group you would be astonished. There is no exercise like swimming and you will never feel so alive. I've swam at masters meets and watched 100 yard old men and women swim 200m to 1000m against one another. Its beyond motivating. Find a master's group near you, and take part in something truly special. Most programs will show you how to be efficient from day one. Ask the faster swimmers for help. They will be more than eager to help you and you will have a new family to look forward to seeing every week. Good luck and feel free to ask me any questions.

i have a freind that lost 60 pounds just swimming a hour most days .i would nt put all do donts into this swimming just do what you like and if swimming it then so be it .you like it then do it case closed

Exercise is for fitness and health. Weight loss is dependent on how much you eat.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition