How many of you out there just swim laps? Compared to those who combine some kinda of dry land routine?
I am curious what kind of shape (muscle size, tone, BF%) you guys have. I have heard that swimmers carry more fat than runners. And to be honest, it is rare to see a swimmer with a 6-pack and good-sized toned upper body & legs. Again, compared to someone who runs and lifts.
I was a runner and lifter before I hurt my lower back. I started swimming (and love it) combine with moderate lifting and elliptical glider.
My fear is that I may be forced to totally give up lifting and the elliptical glider if I re-aggravate the injury (has not happened, but you never know with the lower back).
So, what do you think???
I agree that your average swimmers typically carry more body fat than the average runners. However, this has more to do with fact that swimming doesn’t penalize people for carrying extra weight to the extent that running does. By this I mean that a swimmer with 20 extra pounds only needs to drag the extra volume through the water, while a runner needs to fight gravity with these extra pounds every step of the way.
And it’s an interesting observation that “is rare to see a swimmer with a 6-pack and good-sized toned upper body & legs.” I’d agree that this hold true for your average hop in and slog through a few laps swimmers. But as you get into the ranks of the elite you see a lot of swimmers with the 6-pack and great upper body tone, while elite distance runners look undernourished with little upper body tone, unless you consider rail thin arms toned.
I agree that your average swimmers typically carry more body fat than the average runners. However, this has more to do with fact that swimming doesn’t penalize people for carrying extra weight to the extent that running does. By this I mean that a swimmer with 20 extra pounds only needs to drag the extra volume through the water, while a runner needs to fight gravity with these extra pounds every step of the way.
And it’s an interesting observation that “is rare to see a swimmer with a 6-pack and good-sized toned upper body & legs.” I’d agree that this hold true for your average hop in and slog through a few laps swimmers. But as you get into the ranks of the elite you see a lot of swimmers with the 6-pack and great upper body tone, while elite distance runners look undernourished with little upper body tone, unless you consider rail thin arms toned.
