swimming

[SirTraps]

i swam today for cardio, seems to be great for my joints and worked legs, shoulders, chest, lats and triceps, actually get a good pump.

         I alternate breast stroke with free-style at a fast pace.  It seems to be much more effective than many other sorts of cardio.......

[Rimbaud]

Excellent choice for cardio. Low impact so it's easy on the joints. IMO - excellent choice of strokes as well.

[SirTraps]

just wondering if anyone else has implimented swimming in their bodybuilding/cardio routines ?

           im going to keep doing it-it is a hell of a workout

[Beener]

AND you dont get all sweaty n shit. Plus since you're usin your whole body, if say your legs hurt one day, you can just use em less or even just let em drag in the water. damn its been a while since i've swam.

[Overload]

Best choice of cardio there is IMO.

[sandpiper]

Best choice of cardio there is IMO.

i prefer sex.



but that's just me.

[Rimbaud]

i prefer sex.



but that's just me.

Fine second best. 

[Bluto]

im afraid of water ever since i saw jaws 

[John O]

I can't swim 

[MindSpin]

I swim almost every day in the summer.  When I come home from work, I usually do 16 laps (four each stroke).  I think it's good cardio, and it's easy on my joints.  Both of my daughters (4 & 5) are in a swim team.  During the summer, they practice daily and compete every Saturday.  Awesome & fun excersice for kids too...

[SirTraps]

30 lengths yesterday, went out and bought goggles today.  Breast stroke sprints, sore lats, traps and a pec dec like effect on the chest. 

         I follow it up with riding the bike but the calories expended cant be any where similar.  Body heat generated during swimming and calories burned would be an interesting study.  I do agree with something i read on swimming for fat burning : the very slow old guys you see swimming laps arent burning many calories-you need to sprint.

[candidate2025]

for the last month or so i have been swimming everyday for about a half hour.

[dizzleman06]

question...have you ever seen a fat swimmer?  NOOOOOOOO!  Great choice of cardio!  full body workout!

[SamoanIrishman]

Ditto...swimming is the easiest Hi / Low cardio fat burner there is... I swim as hard as possible to one end and back...rest 30 seconds, repeat. Do this for 30 minutes.

I cut my body fat in half in 2.5 months.

[pumpster]

Swimming is probably the best all-round exercise, with one proviso.

For cardio it's very good and is the best for avoidance of joint pain. However in terms of fat loss, it's not quite as efficient as other exercises such as running. The explanations range from just the nature of the exercise itself to the fact that the body tends to try to retain heat in the cooler temperatures of the water.

That's why you'll notice it's rare to see swimmers with cuts. They're usually smooth, unlike runners for example.

That slightly less efficient fat burning & the difficulty sometimes of finding a nearby pool to use regularly are the main downsides; doesn't effect the good cardio benefits though.

[MindSpin]

Swimming is probably the best all-round exercise, with one proviso.

For cardio it's very good and is the best for avoidance of joint pain. However in terms of fat loss, it's not quite as efficient as other exercises such as running. The explanations range from just the nature of the exercise itself to the fact that the body tends to try to retain heat in the cooler temperatures of the water.

That's why you'll notice it's rare to see swimmers with cuts. They're usually smooth, unlike runners for example.

That slightly less efficient fat burning & the difficulty sometimes of finding a nearby pool to use regularly are the main downsides; doesn't effect the good cardio benefits though.

I keep my pool at home at 85 degrees

[jpm101]

Swimming is excellent. To another degree, ocean swimming will require more effort because of the extra resistance from the movement of the water/waves/wind, etc. So will place more demands on cardio. You really never get a complete rest, unless floating. This will also hold true for river swimming.

I have been told that the body will install/need a thin layer of fat as a thermo barrier against colder waters, as had been suggested. That does not mean you are fat, just have that light protective insulation of fatty tissue around you. Surfers seem to be more muscular than pool or swim event swimmers, from what I've seen.. Probably that extra work of swimming out to wait for the next set. And surfing it's self is a complete body workout. Good Luck.

[MindSpin]

Swimming is excellent. To another degree, ocean swimming will require more effort because of the extra resistance from the movement of the water/waves/wind, etc. So will place more demands on cardio. You really never get a complete rest, unless floating. This will also hold true for river swimming.

I have been told that the body will install/need a thin layer of fat as a thermo barrier against colder waters, as had been suggested. That does not mean you are fat, just have that light protective insulation of fatty tissue around you. Surfers seem to be more muscular than pool or swim event swimmers, from what I've seen.. Probably that extra work of swimming out to wait for the next set. And surfing it's self is a complete body workout. Good Luck.

I've swam a mile in sea water before...brutal.  I surfed 2-3 times/day through highschool and still do occassionally...I think it shrinks your arms.

[climber]

I've swam a mile in sea water before...brutal.  I surfed 2-3 times/day through highschool and still do occassionally...I think it shrinks your arms.

maybe you were just getting leaner