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
Increasing muscle size is done with higher amounts of resistance that cannot be achieve through swimming. As an example, a body builder could not use swimming to maintain muscle mass and severe atrophy will take place if they discontinue weight training. On the other hand, for an extremely weak person with little muscle mass, swimming could be a resistance exercise and actually increase strength and muscle mass. For a vast majority of people, swimming is great cardiovascular exercise but not a means to increase or maintain muscular strength. Get into the weight room and swim is a great combination.
Increasing muscle size is done with higher amounts of resistance that cannot be achieve through swimming. As an example, a body builder could not use swimming to maintain muscle mass and severe atrophy will take place if they discontinue weight training. On the other hand, for an extremely weak person with little muscle mass, swimming could be a resistance exercise and actually increase strength and muscle mass. For a vast majority of people, swimming is great cardiovascular exercise but not a means to increase or maintain muscular strength. Get into the weight room and swim is a great combination.
