I read somewhere (I can't recall it now) that swimming does not help much with weight loss, and that it doesn't burn as many calories as other sports (such as running). Is this actually true?
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Former Member
Weight loss always results from using more calories than consuming. With swimming the 2 variables to determine calories burned are size and speed. Most references to swimming for calorie use *underestimate* the amount of calories burned during workout swimming--you burn a lot more swimming 100yds in 1:30 than in swimming 100yds in 3:00. A number of references on calories burned reflect recreational swimming (like 500 yds in 15 - 20 minutes).
A good rule of thumb I use is 20 calories/minute for swimming at a good workout pace (around 1:30 per 100yds). The more you weigh, the more calories you burn at any pace. The faster you go, the more calories you burn at any weight.
Some data from the web:
www.fitresource.com/.../...20Snow Sportswww.nutristrategy.com/activitylist4.htmhome.judson.edu/.../fitness7.html
Hope this helps.
Weight loss always results from using more calories than consuming. With swimming the 2 variables to determine calories burned are size and speed. Most references to swimming for calorie use *underestimate* the amount of calories burned during workout swimming--you burn a lot more swimming 100yds in 1:30 than in swimming 100yds in 3:00. A number of references on calories burned reflect recreational swimming (like 500 yds in 15 - 20 minutes).
A good rule of thumb I use is 20 calories/minute for swimming at a good workout pace (around 1:30 per 100yds). The more you weigh, the more calories you burn at any pace. The faster you go, the more calories you burn at any weight.
Some data from the web:
www.fitresource.com/.../...20Snow Sportswww.nutristrategy.com/activitylist4.htmhome.judson.edu/.../fitness7.html
Hope this helps.
