We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

How fast a swim is vigorous

soniajc
soniajc Posts: 38 Member
edited September 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Please can someone help me, I have tried to research but not got anywhere must be looking in the wrong place...
I weigh 156.8 lb and am 5 ft 5 , I have just swam 1250 metres in 45 mins without stopping, does this class as moderate / light effort or vigorous effort . I don't feel I could actually swim any faster and yes I do feel like I have been exercise , yet I don't feel I'm as fast as those swimmers that compete.
Thanks for your time
Sonia :heart:

Replies

  • crystal10584
    crystal10584 Posts: 334
    moderate/light is a relaxing pace. enough to barely elevate your heart rate. if you were panting when you got finished and you elevated your heart rate like you would on a quick sprint... i'd say that's vigorous.
  • karizmah78
    karizmah78 Posts: 13
    I agree with Crystal! It is all about how it makes your body feel!
  • ambie35
    ambie35 Posts: 853 Member
    on this noter (and sorry to butt in on your question) Does this mean summertime lake swims,would count under the light/moderate? I think I would only log half the time I actually spent in the water since half of it is just treading water.
  • rose1617
    rose1617 Posts: 469 Member
    on this noter (and sorry to butt in on your question) Does this mean summertime lake swims,would count under the light/moderate? I think I would only log half the time I actually spent in the water since half of it is just treading water.
    I'd log it all. Treading water is definitely exercise. The SEALs do it for hours for strength & endurance.
  • iowagirl09
    iowagirl09 Posts: 23
    To fully answer this question it depends on what stroke you were doing (freestyle is much faster than breaststroke) and are you usually a swimmer or was this the first time in the pool swimming laps for you? I wouldn't judge it too much based on time, until you've been swimming for a while, and you can start comparing your times and see how they change. For now I would say look at your body and see how the pace is affecting your heart rate.

    As a comparison for you I usually swim a 1500 in ~30 minutes, breaststroke, however I am a swimmer. Haven't swam competitively in years, but for me the pool feels like home.

    I know this really didn't answer your question but I hope it helps.
  • fumblerdog
    fumblerdog Posts: 63
    I think you need to either use a HRM (not sure what kinds of waterproof versions there are) or just judge by how you feel. In a race, I swim 1600 meters or so in about 31-32 minutes (freestyle), but that also depends on resistence (are you swimming with/against any current, for example) and other factors.

    I will say, though, if you are interested in improving your swimming, you need to incorporate upper body strength training. So little of swimming is about kicking, as I learned the hard way! :-)
  • soniajc
    soniajc Posts: 38 Member
    Thanks guys
    I'm doing front crawl, only been going swimming for about 4 weeks , once or twice a week if possible. I haven't been swimming before that in over 20 years. I Have improved first week I was doing 1000 metres in 40 mins.
    I think it might be best to log it as light / moderate to be on the safe side.
    I will try and see if I can improve on my times .
    :love:
This discussion has been closed.

Categories