Hi there, I am completely new to this thread. I have not swum in years although I swam competitively all the way through university and then basically swam with my kids and grandkids. This year, as part of a whole 'get healthy' lifestyle change I have added swimming back into my exercise routine. But I am confused about something and hopefully there are experts out there who can help me.
When I started 4 weeks ago I swam 1010 meters in 30 minutes, with an average 116 strokes per 100m (breaststroke). My calories burnt showed as 412 on my Apple watch.
Yesterday I swam 1320 meters in 30 minutes, with an average of 66 strokes per 100m and my calorie count was 285. It has been steadily decreasing even as my speed increased, and my strokes improved.
I know I am not going to win any contests, but at the moment I am not worried about that. Just interested why the calorie count decreases although I am a more efficient swimmer. I have lost another 3-5lbs in that time, so that is not my concern, although that may play into it. I have about another 10lbs to reach my final weight loss goal.
Any input will be really helpful.
Are you swimming in a pool or open water? Those distances seem a bit odd either way, but more in-line with o/w. Are you swimming all freestyle, or incorporating in other strokes too?
I also use an Apple Watch when I swim. When I swim freestyle in a pool, I usually burn about 100 calories for every 500 yards. Sure that might vary a bit, mostly when I do other strokes (even a little butterfly increases the calories burned quite a bit). If I do sets of repeats (say 10 x 100 @ 1:30), the calories burned goes up a bit too -v- just casual long sets.
When I swim open water the calories burned varies drastically. I usually do mostly free when I'm in o/w (I usually use a buoy and haven't gotten used to backstroke with the buoy). It isn't unusual for me to burn 1500 or even 2000 calories in an open water swim. My watch may say that I've burned tons of calories when I don't think I have (flat water, easy to go faster) and other times not (tons of wind and chop). I more swim o/w for overall time and a lesser degree for distance.
All this said, it is good that you are back to swimming. I'd probably focus more on getting yourself in the water for right now, perhaps work on some technique, and not so much on the calories. After you start to settle into a more defined schedule, I don't think you'll see as much of a variance.
Are you swimming in a pool or open water? Those distances seem a bit odd either way, but more in-line with o/w. Are you swimming all freestyle, or incorporating in other strokes too?
I also use an Apple Watch when I swim. When I swim freestyle in a pool, I usually burn about 100 calories for every 500 yards. Sure that might vary a bit, mostly when I do other strokes (even a little butterfly increases the calories burned quite a bit). If I do sets of repeats (say 10 x 100 @ 1:30), the calories burned goes up a bit too -v- just casual long sets.
When I swim open water the calories burned varies drastically. I usually do mostly free when I'm in o/w (I usually use a buoy and haven't gotten used to backstroke with the buoy). It isn't unusual for me to burn 1500 or even 2000 calories in an open water swim. My watch may say that I've burned tons of calories when I don't think I have (flat water, easy to go faster) and other times not (tons of wind and chop). I more swim o/w for overall time and a lesser degree for distance.
All this said, it is good that you are back to swimming. I'd probably focus more on getting yourself in the water for right now, perhaps work on some technique, and not so much on the calories. After you start to settle into a more defined schedule, I don't think you'll see as much of a variance.
