Does swimming burn as many calories as other sports? Unless you're putting in some real yardage, it doesn't seem like it does to me. I was chatting with some tri teammates awhile ago. They think they're slimmer when they're doing multiple sports and not just swimming. Me too, I think. Anyone else have thoughts on this? I guess I should be lifting weights ... Thanks in advance. :)
Former Member
Last year I returned to swimming after a long lay off, overweight and unfit. To tackle both conditions, 1) I improved my diet, which of course was the single best way to reduce my weight. 2) I steadily increased my exercise not to burn calories but to get fitter, feel better and all the benefits of masters swimming.
So I think there are many pluses for swimming, many mentioned in the thread, but for me burning calories is not one of the top ones.
If you wish to lose weight eat better.
Ok who took my beer and chips ?:drink: ?
well I guess everyone is individual. I have lost 10lbs. I'm eating well but still enjoy things like donuts, icecream or pound cake at 10pm.
Last night I scarfed 4 or 5 cookies with my cup of tea at 6pm. Did 2500 and then ate 3 mini cream filled chocolate eclairs at gone 10PM--I'm so bad!
Eat within reason...swim hard and fast you should lose weight, yes running may burn more but you end up with bad knees, shin splints, sore ankles and bad back...unless you're very fortunate.:2cents: :2cents: :2cents:
Does swimming burn as many calories as other sports? Unless you're putting in some real yardage, it doesn't seem like it does to me. I was chatting with some tri teammates awhile ago. They think they're slimmer when they're doing multiple sports and not just swimming. Me too, I think. Anyone else have thoughts on this? I guess I should be lifting weights ... Thanks in advance. :)
I wear my Polar Heart rate Monitor for every workout (5days a week). I put in about 3000yds in a little over an hour. Moderate intensity, some hard, and mostly interval work with some distance thrown in. I typically get KCAL listings from the 680-790.
When I get back home tonight, I will try to look back and find some Kcal readings from an elliptical workout or when I actually was still getting out on the road on the bike last fall (I don't put in that type of intensity on the indoor trainer for an hour....)
But I second (third, ++) the fact that you have to take into account the change in body composition and proportion and not just weight. Since starting back up swimming in December after a year off, I don't think I have dropped much weight, but man do my shirts sure fit different, again. But I'm also able to eat without as much care/attention paid to every calorie with what we are burning off.
One reason given that swimming doesn't burn as many calories as running is that it uses arms more than legs.The obvious solution to that is BREASTSTROKE!!!!
No problem Allen, I'll get right on that o.k......Not!! LOL!
Congrats 3degree on losing those inches...I've never heard of a K-cal device though....sounds interesting (although I am skeptical about the accuracy of those things for all the same reasons as I listed about the calorie calculators)....but if it works for you than thats great!
Newmastersswimmer
One reason given that swimming doesn't burn as many calories as running is that it uses arms more than legs.The obvious solution to that is BREASTSTROKE!!!!
Allen you and I know which stroke specialist swimmers pack more muscle per square inch...
:woot:
