Hi,

I recently read an article that said swimming is actually not very good for weight loss but its good for general health. Is that true? I've started to go swimming a three of times a week but I love it so much that I'm wanting to start going everyday (I swear I was a fish in a previous lifetime). I do aqua aerobics once a week, so if I did it twice and swam the other five days, is that okay? Or should I pick up another form of exersize as well as swimming?

Thanks

I heard that too. Maybe I read the same article? I'm sure someone here can give an answer!

Swimming burns calories just like any other activity. Approximatly 400 calories per hour, so about the same as bike riding.

As long as you are doing some sort of cardio thats good, doesn't really matter what type.

Here's my opinion on this. Swimming is a fantastic exercise. One of the best things about it is that it is gentle on your joints. However, it may not be the best for weight loss.

The problem with swimming is that as you're in the water, it's really hard to actually work up a sweat. Plus, if you have weight to loose, the extra fat you are carrying actually makes the exercise easier. Fat floats. This is why I suspect that swimming, although good, may not be the best exercise for weight loss.

Not only that, consider aquatic mammals in the wild. A seal swims all day and is in great shape. However, he is in no way as lean as a fox or lion.

Still, having said that, if you truly love swimming, I say keep doing it. If you're doing it everyday, you can't help but lose weight overtime. You just may not lose it as quickly as you'd like.

- Dave

Swimming burns lots of calories. To me, burning calories means burning fat.

I did read, however, that swimmers have the highest body fat percentage of different types of athletes. Runners have the lowest.

Variety is the spice of life, keep on swimming if you enjoy it, but make sure you try other stuff!

Wow,
I am an open water swimmer,but have to swim in a pool now due to the temps outside in Michigan.I am also a member of United States Masters Swimmers. A thirteen year Triathlete veteran...have swam the Potomac , the Hudson etc etc..
It is facinating to hear the remarks here in this forum on swimming, very creative...and entertaining.
I have a hard time deciding where to start on this subject.
It is not your imagination...swimming is quite unique....only in flying do you get the same feel...because you are moving in three dimentions rather than two..thats is to say..rather than just right,left forward backwards...on a flat plain...you are also able to move up and down .
As previously mentioned about the sweat....you can sweat profusely.
Get some lessons right away and pick up a copy of Total Immersion.
You may swim for the rest of your life.....it is all about resistance and you should learn the right way before you imprint too deeply wrong technique.
Practice makes for easier more enjoyable swimming.
This thing about body fat..have you seen Phelps or Popov.
ITS WHAT YOU EAT .
Swimming is one of the most wonderful things you can do, no matter how bad or good i feel ,I always feel better after a swim. Can't say enough.

A great read about actually putting on body fat to an advantge is 'Swimming to Antactica'
Fantastic book!!!!!

Hmm I'm not sure, I mean yeah of course its good for your general health but I think it also helps you with weigh-loss. I used to go swimming once a week for about 6 weeks and I lost a few lbs...