Does swimming build MUSCLE, or do I need to go to the gym?
Former Member
I want to swim more, but I also want to get bigger (I'm 6 foot 140 pounds, so pretty scrawny at the moment.)
At first I thought these might be conflicting goals -- more cardio = get smaller.
But assuming proper nutrition, will I build muscle with swimming? Or is the Michael Phelps build a result of him going to the gym, and not his swim practice?
Parents
Former Member
I have thought about this a lot. 15 years ago I did a lot of heavy lifting and built significant muscle mass, it also slowed my swimming down. Then I started rowing and swimming without any weights and have lost a little but not much mass. I think that swimming may not actually build much muscle but possibly it maintains it..or I may be lying to myself because I would rather spend my time swimming and rowing.
I have thought about this a lot. 15 years ago I did a lot of heavy lifting and built significant muscle mass, it also slowed my swimming down. Then I started rowing and swimming without any weights and have lost a little but not much mass. I think that swimming may not actually build much muscle but possibly it maintains it..or I may be lying to myself because I would rather spend my time swimming and rowing.
