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
Studies have shown that swimmers tend to lose weight less than any other sport.
Mostly, it's because higher body temperature results in temporary appetite suppression. Translation: Swimmers eat more, because they're hungrier after a workout than non-swimmers (runners, cyclists, etc). We can replace the energy we've burned in a single meal if we want to.
Also, swimmers use more energy in training sessions than non-swimmers, which leaves little energy left for substantial physical activity outside the pool. Translation again: We train, we sleep, we eat, that's pretty much all we do.
Now, the above refers mostly to competitive swimmers who aren't on a controlled diet, except to ratio their carb/protein/fat intake. But that's the skinny of it (pardon the pun).
Studies have shown that swimmers tend to lose weight less than any other sport.
Mostly, it's because higher body temperature results in temporary appetite suppression. Translation: Swimmers eat more, because they're hungrier after a workout than non-swimmers (runners, cyclists, etc). We can replace the energy we've burned in a single meal if we want to.
Also, swimmers use more energy in training sessions than non-swimmers, which leaves little energy left for substantial physical activity outside the pool. Translation again: We train, we sleep, we eat, that's pretty much all we do.
Now, the above refers mostly to competitive swimmers who aren't on a controlled diet, except to ratio their carb/protein/fat intake. But that's the skinny of it (pardon the pun).
