I usually run for exercise, but I am thinking of incorporating swimming several times a week into my workout schedule. For anyone who swims, do you find that swimming is a good form of exercise--for both muscle definition and a calorie-burning workout? Also, for how long do you swim, and how should I feel while swimming (out of breath, or should I swim at a medium to slow pace)
Any general swimming techniques, tips, and personal experiences would be helpful! And I want to know why swimming is not generally recommended as an exercise to prevent osteoporosis.
Parents
Former Member
I think fitness has 3 facets. Cardiovascular, resistance training and stretching. Swimming would take care of the first, and somewhat the second, but I believe that you need more than the restance of water, especially as we age. The same with regular stretch training. As we age, flexibility and balance are very, very important.
So one of these, just swimming, without the others, does not get you all the benefits you need.
Thats is correct, especially for older folks. As I got older, resistance training is something I neglected. I think it's because of this that I developed an overuse injury on my left shoulder (bicipital tendinitis). I've read that swimmers, throwers (anything that have overhead motions of the arms) are prone to bicipital tendinitis. After my ongoing physical therapy, I shall be adding dryland exercises to strengthen my shoulders and withstand repetetive motions like swimming.
I think fitness has 3 facets. Cardiovascular, resistance training and stretching. Swimming would take care of the first, and somewhat the second, but I believe that you need more than the restance of water, especially as we age. The same with regular stretch training. As we age, flexibility and balance are very, very important.
So one of these, just swimming, without the others, does not get you all the benefits you need.
Thats is correct, especially for older folks. As I got older, resistance training is something I neglected. I think it's because of this that I developed an overuse injury on my left shoulder (bicipital tendinitis). I've read that swimmers, throwers (anything that have overhead motions of the arms) are prone to bicipital tendinitis. After my ongoing physical therapy, I shall be adding dryland exercises to strengthen my shoulders and withstand repetetive motions like swimming.
