Swimming - Satan’s exercise?
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SarahMWong15 wrote: »I enjoy swimming, but I'm really not good at it. I don't have a good form or technique most of the time so I find myself going from normal strokes to doggy paddling and kicking my feet under water. I would love to incorporate swimming in to my work outs, but I as well, am afraid it won't be doing much for me since I'm not great at it. Whereas I may get more out of the elliptical for 20 minutes or jogging for 30.
As long as you are using your muscles to propel your body through water you are getting exercise, resistance exercise to boot. Better form increases efficiency and speed, but doesn't affect calorie burn as much as people think. Play around with the different strokes. Maybe you will be happier with something other than the forward crawl or even a mix of several strokes. There is even one named the "Combat Swimmer" stroke that is a mix of the side stroke, forward crawl, and breast stroke. It is very efficient and a person can go long distances without tiring nearly as much as the crawl by itself, which is why it is taught to elite forces like the Navy Seals. Several at my pool use it and all the swimming instructors can teach it.
Does your pool offer swimming lessons? You could sign up for one or more and have your swimming evaluated. You can learn new strokes or earn how to do the ones you do better. At my pool, you sign up for however many you need and pay per lesson. I signed up for one lesson so I could learn how to do flip turns. A friend signed up for 2 so she could learn the Combat stroke and have it evaluated and her form tweaked in the second lesson.
Don't let your current form keep you from swimming if that is what you really love to do. If you prefer the elliptical or jogging, by all means keep at it. You should enjoy what you are doing.4 -
Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »deannalfisher wrote: »Because pool water is typically cooler than your body temp and your body tries to equalize temps 1 so while the actual exercise doesn’t burn a lot of calories, the trying to stay warm does
Swimming hard burns about 800kcals/hr, similar to cycling and running for me. After a good swim sesh, you feel hot when you get out of the water! You also sweat, as noted by others.
I think the thing about the cold water making you hungry is a fable. It might be true if you just float around in cool water, but it doesn't apply to a good hard swim sesh. Also, community pools are often kept at 82degF, hardly very cool. (Varsity pools are more like 76defF, which is definitely cool when you get in!)
Even my 90 minute (1.5 mile) breast stroke burns about 600 calories per hour. I do get thirsty so I drink about 24 oz while swimming and a refill of the same bottle afterwards but I don't get hungry until about 2 hours after getting out of the pool. Our lap pool is typically 80°-82°.1 -
The pool is my "go-to" in the summer months! I have those foam weights and do upper body resistance wit them, swim laps, and play games with my husband, kids and grand kids. One of the saddest days of the year (next to taking down the Christmas tree) is the day we close the pool for the winter.
I don't find it a waste of time, at all.
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juliemouse83 wrote: »The pool is my "go-to" in the summer months! I have those foam weights and do upper body resistance wit them, swim laps, and play games with my husband, kids and grand kids. One of the saddest days of the year (next to taking down the Christmas tree) is the day we close the pool for the winter.
I don't find it a waste of time, at all.
That's what he said.
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SarahMWong15 wrote: »I enjoy swimming, but I'm really not good at it. I don't have a good form or technique most of the time so I find myself going from normal strokes to doggy paddling and kicking my feet under water. I would love to incorporate swimming in to my work outs, but I as well, am afraid it won't be doing much for me since I'm not great at it. Whereas I may get more out of the elliptical for 20 minutes or jogging for 30.
I don't think not being "good" at swimming would burn less calories. If anything, good swimmers would be more efficient.
I don't have good snow shoes and snowshoeing is difficult for me, but I can tell it burns the heck out of calories
However, you might enjoy swimming more if you took some classes.2 -
There really is no such exercise that "wastes your time" any activity is better than no activity. Walking and swimming are fantastic and can really help you ensure a caloric deficit - not to mention the myriad of benefits by exercising.4
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I love swimming. Fitness benefits are a bonus; it does wonders for my mental health which is the main reason I try to swim regularly.3
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Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »We all weigh the same in water, after all!
No, that isn't right at all. We don't all "weigh the same" in water.
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Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »deannalfisher wrote: »Because pool water is typically cooler than your body temp and your body tries to equalize temps 1 so while the actual exercise doesn’t burn a lot of calories, the trying to stay warm does
Swimming hard burns about 800kcals/hr, similar to cycling and running for me. After a good swim sesh, you feel hot when you get out of the water! You also sweat, as noted by others.
I think the thing about the cold water making you hungry is a fable. It might be true if you just float around in cool water, but it doesn't apply to a good hard swim sesh. Also, community pools are often kept at 82degF, hardly very cool. (Varsity pools are more like 76defF, which is definitely cool when you get in!)
Interesting because 3000yds in the pool for me in an hour burns about 400cal; running or biking for an hour puts me in the 7/800 range (so approximately double)
But that is my experience in 2 decades of swimming - I feel hungrier when the pool is at cooler temps (mine is between 76 and 81 between base and community pool)2 -
I spin, that is my main cardio event. I swam competitively as a kid and have done a couple triathlons but nothing serious. I recently signed up for a Triathelete swim clinic which got me back into the pool and I just love it. It is so relaxing and my body seems to appreciate the switch up from my regular spinning and weight training. Good stuff.2
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Swimming is my favorite!
I have sciatica and am recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon. Swimming is making me feel strong and healthy again.
It's no-impact, cardio, resistance-training all-in-one. It works all the major muscle groups. Plus, I find it very meditative. I compete against myself and keep trying to improve my form, my time/lap, and my overall time-in-the-pool.
I'm entirely self-taught and I look up tips all the time to get better. I'd much rather be in a pool than doing any other form of exercise. But that's me. You have to find your own jam and spread it thickly!3 -
deannalfisher wrote: »Interesting because 3000yds in the pool for me in an hour burns about 400cal.
That seems like a low estimate. But, who knows for sure? I currently let my Garmin watch estimate the calories, which gives a lower estimate than this:
http://www.swimmingcalculator.com/swim_calories_calculator.php
The above says that I'd burn 900kcals if I swam at my standard freestyle pace (2 minutes per 100m) for an hour. That is very close to running or cycling!
(Again, who know's if it's right?)0 -
I'm not an excellent form swimmer by any means, but I think I burn a decent amount of calories while swimming. I wasn't terribly hungry either, and the water is cold for me. My husband tore three ligaments in his ankle/heel and swimming is the only exercise besides physio that he can do right now so I've been going with him instead of using the gym. We both drop more weight after a good swim. I still do my dumbbell workouts at home, but swimming is really working well for us. I'd be interested to have a water proof calorie counter to see how much we actually burn. I thought MFP over exaggerated so I said I just treaded water the whole time and used those calories.0
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I'm not an excellent form swimmer by any means, but I think I burn a decent amount of calories while swimming. I wasn't terribly hungry either, and the water is cold for me. My husband tore three ligaments in his ankle/heel and swimming is the only exercise besides physio that he can do right now so I've been going with him instead of using the gym. We both drop more weight after a good swim. I still do my dumbbell workouts at home, but swimming is really working well for us. I'd be interested to have a water proof calorie counter to see how much we actually burn. I thought MFP over exaggerated so I said I just treaded water the whole time and used those calories.
I checked a couple of online swimming calculators and took the average of what they said for breast stroke at 1 mph. I then looked at the MFP entries and found that "Swimming-Leisurely-General" was the closest to that average so I use that entry.2 -
I'm still learning. What I noticed:
I'm constantly thirsty
I'm constantly peeing afterwards
I'm starving afterwards.
Maybe its because the pool I go to is indoors but unheated and I spend the first 20 minutes of the class shivering in the shallow end. Otherwise I enjoy it for the social aspect.2 -
I am a runner, cyclist and weight lifter. I have recently started swimming lessons....it kicked my *kitten*!!! The next day I felt it in my back, shoulders, legs and glutes. I think I will be regular now.5
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kaitslosingweight wrote: »Lol, disregard Satan’s exercise, it’s supposed to epitomize the attitudes I’ve been met with when I tell others that right now the only exercise I’m able to do is swim or walk. I have a knee and a bank injury sustained on Xmas eve and I still haven’t recovered. The responses have ranged from:
- you’ll be so hungry afterwards you’ll over eat and there goes your calorie deficit.
- you won’t build muscle or change your body composition with swimming unless you’re swimming with the intensity of an Olympian and go for hours and hours
- complete waste of time unless done vigorously
It’s been fun learning how evil swimming is, lol 👍🏻
However, that being said, it’s still going to be my go-to method of exercising until I’m cleared by my doctor do conventional strength training which is my typical go-to when trying to lose weight.
I guess I’m just asking if I really will be wasting my time by swimming/walking.. especially if I’m not capable of doing either at a vigorous pace yet.
Thoughts about swimming for exercise?
I realize ultimately it’s being in a calorie deficit (PERIOD) that determines weight loss but I want to get the most out of what I’m doing.
The notion that any physical activity or exercise is a waste of time is laughable and ignorant, particularly when we're talking overall health and wellness. If you look on the National Weight Control Registry you will note that the primary exercise performed by those maintaining a healthy weight long term is walking. I know quite a few people who are very healthy and fit and they don't "workout" at all...they're just physically active and enjoy riding their bikes or mountain biking or hiking or whatever.
I find these kind of "wasting your time" comments come from people who don't understand the benefit of variable workout intensities and think that everything has to be a strenuous sufferfest to be of any benefit, when in reality it's a hugely sub-optimal way to train. This is where you get stupid quotes like, "your workout is my warmup" and other such nonsense.
Also, there is a difference between something being a waste of time and something being optimal or sub-optimal for particular fitness goals. Walking would be sub-optimal exercise for someone who wants to run a marathon outside of a recovery activity for example. While swimming provides some resistance, it's not an optimal way to build muscle. That said, you are injured so you can only do what you can do. I've spent the last few months injured and only being able to walk...that has happened to me on a few occasions over the last eight years. Just walking is sub-optimal to what I want fitness wise, but it was what I was able to do and since my overall health and well-being is my primary concern, walk I did...not a waste of time.
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Oh no dude, swimming is very good for you. Ignore naysayers. It works on your strength and your endurance and it also makes your lungs stronger. If Satan gets in the pool, you'll notice the water boiling, but short of that I think you'll be fine. XD2
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New_Heavens_Earth wrote: »I'm still learning. What I noticed:
I'm constantly thirsty
I'm constantly peeing afterwards
I'm starving afterwards.
Maybe its because the pool I go to is indoors but unheated and I spend the first 20 minutes of the class shivering in the shallow end. Otherwise I enjoy it for the social aspect.
I'd suggest you start moving immediately when you hit the water. I've seen other people ease in and suffer cold and I always tell them to start moving. If you're waiting for a class to begin jog in place.3 -
Thanks, everybody! Great input. Impressed at how enthusiastic so many people are about swimming for exercise. I can’t wait to get started. 👍🏻3
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snowflake954 wrote: »New_Heavens_Earth wrote: »I'm still learning. What I noticed:
I'm constantly thirsty
I'm constantly peeing afterwards
I'm starving afterwards.
Maybe its because the pool I go to is indoors but unheated and I spend the first 20 minutes of the class shivering in the shallow end. Otherwise I enjoy it for the social aspect.
I'd suggest you start moving immediately when you hit the water. I've seen other people ease in and suffer cold and I always tell them to start moving. If you're waiting for a class to begin jog in place.
Yup. I learned to swim in a lake in town. Lessons started in early June and the lake is spring fed and in Wisconsin so the water was pretty cold that time of year. The first thing we did in every class was "bobs" where you went in the water to your shoulders and jumped up and down. Loosened the muscles and warmed up the body.
On the other hand, during the hot, still dog days of August that cool water was soooooo refreshing.2 -
It strikes me as so odd when I hear about adults who are learning to swim!
Don't get me wrong I'm not trying to belittle non swimmers, but just the concept of not being able to swim from from the age of being a toddler is just so foreign to me it's hard to wrap my head around.
Maybe it's a Australian thing or a growing up near the coast thing because in my 45 years on this earth I don't think I've ever come across someone over the age of 3 or 4 that couldn't swim.1 -
From one who was morbidly overweight 11 yrs ago and never considered myself an athlete, I had roux en y bariatic surgery, lost 137 lbs (it wasn't all easy) and began to swim as I had always liked it. I became fit enough to swim Alcatraz to San Francisco for Sharkfest 2 yrs in a row (6-7 yrs ago). I can swim up to 2-1/2 hrs without stopping...but, that said, I encountered some physical problems that grounded me so I went back to some bad eating habits and gained back about 40 lbs (agh!!!)...I only swam a few times last year. This past September, I had a complete right hip replacement, was told I wouldn't be able to swim for 3 months and was back in the pool at 5 weeks. My husband bought us a new elliptical for strength and cardio workouts and within a week of my 3 month recovery, I was swimming a fast nonstop 1 hr at our local pool. Then, on Dec. 5th, I fell and broke the 5th metatarsal in my right foot. I was told it would be 6-8 weeks before I could be weight-bearing again. I insisted I was going to be in a walking boot. After 3 weeks, I could drive and the doctor said I could swim if I didn't kick my foot hard. But depression got the better of me through most of December and the first part of this month. However, reading some comments on MyFitnessPal today, got me off my butt and I just did 23 minutes on the elliptical (I still need to wear a short walking boot). I plan to get into the pool tomorrow. Let me share this with you: At Sharkfest, one swimmer had no arms and no legs and he beat me. There were swimmers in their 80s who weren't even wearing wetsuits. Swimming is the #1 exercise you can do for life...it forgives all body types, is easy on your joints and relaxes you. If you don't have one, get a SwimP3 player, download your favorite songs and you'll be surprised how long you can swim as you forget yourself in your tunes. So get in that water!!!! Start with just 5 minutes...you'll be surprised how quickly you will begin to feel better. Oh, and no, swimming does not make you hungry and feel like eating. Quite the contrary, I feel less hungry.5
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It strikes me as so odd when I hear about adults who are learning to swim!
Don't get me wrong I'm not trying to belittle non swimmers, but just the concept of not being able to swim from from the age of being a toddler is just so foreign to me it's hard to wrap my head around.
Maybe it's a Australian thing or a growing up near the coast thing because in my 45 years on this earth I don't think I've ever come across someone over the age of 3 or 4 that couldn't swim.
Its quite common in the UK. Not everyone has easy access to a pool.
So learning requires someone to be available to get you to/from the pool and the money to pay for it....
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I love swimming.I swim for half an hour.0
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I love swimming. I should go more often - I've been climbing a lot recently, but I've injured a finger so have more time available for other exercises.
About 4 years ago, I taught myself a new stroke (for me) - the no hands; backwards breast stroke. It's useful when scuba diving, for example to avoid bumping into your buddy at the safety/deco stop. I was doing a scuba course where it was needed.
It's like a standard breast stroke leg action, but done in reverse to make you go backwards. I practiced enough where I could do a 25 metre length easily enough at the pool, and it did indeed translate to being able to it on dives.
I don't recommend it for non-divers, as you go very slowly, can't see where you're going, and look desperately eccentric. Learning a new stroke as an adult was an interesting experience, though.
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azulvioleta6 wrote: »The people who flit around and spend most of their time resting don't get much out of it.
I swim hard and don't stop until I have done at least a mile...NOT a swimmer's mile, a full 5,280 feet. It's great for alternating with higher-impact exercises.
They get more out of it than they would sitting on their couch.
Not every one is physically capable of herculean tasks in the pool. And that's okay. You do you. The beauty about swimming (and any other form of exercise for that matter) is that the longer you do it, the more you can do.
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Oh no dude, swimming is very good for you. Ignore naysayers. It works on your strength and your endurance and it also makes your lungs stronger. If Satan gets in the pool, you'll notice the water boiling, but short of that I think you'll be fine. XD
I like my pool water nice and warm, anyway!
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@splenderella61 : wow, I had to take a minute to soak in your story. You were able to swim A to SF? Wow! I hope you find a rhythm for your life that gets you back to that! Your 5th metatarsal break is painful, I'm sure, but it would seem to point you back to the pool before the elliptical.0
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Love swimming - especially because its a fully body exercise, doesn't hurt and I can zone out and not be distracted by people watching etc. I just wish there were more availability at our local pool for open swim times
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