At my yearly physical last week a funny thing happened. The doctors staff informed me that swimming is not an aerobic exercise and that I would be better off walking briskly for 20 to 30 minutes a couple days each week.
I explained I try to swim 2 to 3 times each week for 60 to 90 minutes,and my workout is prepared by MO, ya'll might recognise that name. They asked me the distance I cover in that time and I responded with 2800 to 3500 yards or 1.5 to 2 miles depending on time.
Not good enough according to the staff. I should be walking. I will let the facts stand for themselves.
Age 48
Wt 149
BP 120/80
Pulse 60
Body Fat 18%
Total Cholesterol 194 (need to eat better)
Well it is off to the pool for another MO workout. Maybe I will walk briskly from my car to the pool and see if that counts. Thanks for those workouts MO I enjoy them.
Have a great day
Paul
Parents
Former Member
I'm not sure I understand.
On one hand I see animosity expressed for those who fail, through understandable ignorance, to give due credit to the type of exercise this TINY minority of those who profess to "swim" participate in.
Yet, I see this group apply precisely the same stereotype to those who "walk".
I know a 70 yr-old man who could likely walk every one of this group into the dirt. His ONLY exercise is walking, and he is as serious about his sport as I've ever seen any athlete. If you were to meet him you would not guess he was a day over 55. He is easily as fit as any runner or swimmer his age, and likely most half his age.
Top walkers can average close to 6 minute miles for 10 miles or more. Most who "run" don't do that.
Are there people who do not walk in the most fitness-effective manner - sure, most all. But precisely the same is true of most all of those who profess to "swim". So I understand why those not well versed in adult athletics might not give credit in all the tiny niches it is due.
But I'm surprised this group would succumb to such a stereotype, broadly and incorrectly dismissing "walking" as somehow less worthy than our own sport.
If you know anyone needing to relieve ignorance on the subject of walking, steer them to http://www.racewalk.com/ or "Walk Like an Athlete" (by Jeff Salvage and Gary Westerfield).
I'm not sure I understand.
On one hand I see animosity expressed for those who fail, through understandable ignorance, to give due credit to the type of exercise this TINY minority of those who profess to "swim" participate in.
Yet, I see this group apply precisely the same stereotype to those who "walk".
I know a 70 yr-old man who could likely walk every one of this group into the dirt. His ONLY exercise is walking, and he is as serious about his sport as I've ever seen any athlete. If you were to meet him you would not guess he was a day over 55. He is easily as fit as any runner or swimmer his age, and likely most half his age.
Top walkers can average close to 6 minute miles for 10 miles or more. Most who "run" don't do that.
Are there people who do not walk in the most fitness-effective manner - sure, most all. But precisely the same is true of most all of those who profess to "swim". So I understand why those not well versed in adult athletics might not give credit in all the tiny niches it is due.
But I'm surprised this group would succumb to such a stereotype, broadly and incorrectly dismissing "walking" as somehow less worthy than our own sport.
If you know anyone needing to relieve ignorance on the subject of walking, steer them to http://www.racewalk.com/ or "Walk Like an Athlete" (by Jeff Salvage and Gary Westerfield).
