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
Former Member
my doc told me to keep up the swimming, he was very impressed with stats, but he also wanted me to add some weight lifting and some land aerobics to help with preventing osteoprosis. But, yeah, I agree, find another doc, one who swims him/herself.
As always, Geek, we disagree somewhat... a lot of studies now adays are showing that you don't need as much exercise as once thought. I do find it disturbing that more people can't do more than 30 mins 3X a week though.
Originally posted by aquageek
I find this disturbing. I laugh when I hear the most you can expect of some Americans is a 30 minute walk 3 X weekly.
I'm not that old and when I was growing up athletics meant more than walking. Now walking is exercise.
When I walk for exercise I do some 7 miles of 3-4 minute miles. I'm usually at it for good 2 hours... It probably resembles speed waling, a little bit. That's 'walking for exercise'.
Originally posted by Toni
Have you ever watched walkers? They consider putting on a pair of joggers and strolling along with your friends as exercise? The only thing getting a vigorous workout is their jaws.
Oh yeah, and don't forget the requisite side mounted fanny pack stocked full of snickers and mountain dew.
Now that's a workout!
I think, as some have said, that some in the medical profession think that swimming is like a slow paddle down the pool. Well, for many swimmers at my pool, Pasadena Athletic Club, that is true. I am glad to see them doing some exercise, however they never, regardless of age, seem to be out of breath. The same goes with the joggers I see. They are not doing anything aerobic, not getting the heart rate up to the training threshold . Yes, the exercise is good for them, yes, they are burning calories, yes they are using their muxcles and stretching, but they are not training and putting significant stress on the cardiovascular system.
To be fair, not everyone wants to be "in training" or to get the heart rate up to a significant degree. That's OK. Fitness is defined in different ways. Not every swimmer needs to be a competitive swimmer. So explain to the Doc what it is that we do and save the brisk walk for those cold mornings when the paper is at the end of the driveway!:)
Have you ever watched walkers? They consider putting on a pair of joggers and strolling along with your friends as exercise? The only thing getting a vigorous workout is their jaws.
Please. I know it feels good to be athletically superior, but I have seen many vigorous walkers, and many walkers in such a physical condition that I am impressed that they manage to make it outdoors, let alone walk.
I have also seen swimmers that float from one side of the pool to the other, while bending their knees a little for propulsion. Any kind of walking is better than that.
The doctor may have had that image in mind and been ignorant of what happens in one of our typical workouts. Also, it seems to be true that swimming is not very good at preventing bone loss, while any kind of walking has some good effect.
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).
