how many people swim as compared to other sports?

swimming is way closer to track running than distance running and there are more people over 40 involved in swimming than track (i.e. the mile and below). It probably flips to more road runners than swimmers when the distance is 5k or more.

It is pretty popular. I think the question should be, are you a lane splitting, length counting, person who wets themselves on occasion, or a member of the elite society that knows what a pace clock is. But that's just me.

It seems swimming could be even more popular. Running is completely free, but swimming pool membership can be expensive. If running and swimming cost the same, probably more people would choose swimming as it's more enjoyable?

It seems swimming could be even more popular. Running is completely free, but swimming pool membership can be expensive. If running and swimming cost the same, probably more people would choose swimming as it's more enjoyable? not sure. I used to run and my shoes (which never lasted more than a year) were more expensive than membership+speedo+goggles Another thing is that a person who has never run, could probably run-walk with low technique something not longer than a mile or something, but what about a person who has never swam? I wonder if that person is gonna make it to the other end of the pool :angel:

not sure. I used to run and my shoes (which never lasted more than a year) were more expensive than membership+speedo+goggles On average, I pay $70 for a half-decent pair of running shoes (on sale at Dicks and with a coupon) every 3-4 months (about time for a new pair now). Shorts/shirts/socks probably run another $20-30 per outfit (averaging out), and last 6+ months. Contrast that with swimming, my dues are $65/month, plus new goggles every 3-4 months ($15), and a couple new suits a year ($10-15 for the cheap discounted stuff I usually wear). Unless I'm doing the math wrong, swimming (for me at least) runs 2-3x more expensive than running. By involved, do you mean simply people who do one and/or the other, or people who actively compete in the sport? I see many people out running along a special multi-use pathway when I run, but I'd say it is a very small percentage who actually do any races. The same is probably true in swimming; I've (on occasion) swam in one of my city's public pool for lap swimming, and lanes had 2-3 per lane; I'd doubt a very high percentage ever do any meets.

I swim and run, I enjoy both about the same and they are very similar mentally for me. Swimming is much better on my joints so I prefer it at the moment. for me it's about fitness, I'm not part of any team so I don't consider what I do sport ... but I enjoy it. the only sport I do are aquatlons and open water swims in the summer seasons, but Just for fun. I'd say running is much more accessible for most people, I hate the gym, but I'm lucky to have a great local pool nearby ... if i didn't have such a great place to go then I probably wouldn't swim, or at least not as much.

Statistics Canada (a federal government department) did a survey of sport participation in 2005. It found that about 750,000 Canadians age 15 and over swam at least once a week. That's about a 2.9% participation rate. You can see some more stats and graphs of the most popular sports here: mymsc.ca/.../sports_participation_in_canada_2005 Unfortunately, the definition of sport used excluded activities like non-competitive running so there is no answer provided as to their relative popularity. The relative popularity of the various sports likely varies somewhat between Canada and the US but it does provide some hard data.

Well, there you go... swimming is #2. Walking Wins. So, the fact that many of us have to walk to/from the pool from our cars means we are participating in the top two sports in America each time we go to a workout! :applaud:

Statistics Canada (a federal government department) did a survey of sport participation in 2005. It found that about 750,000 Canadians age 15 and over swam at least once a week. That's about a 2.9% participation rate. You can see some more stats and graphs of the most popular sports here: mymsc.ca/.../sports_participation_in_canada_2005 I'm pleased to see my stereotypical view of Canada remains intact, with Hockey being one of the top sports. However where is Curling? I thought this was a national past time in Canada? ;) Linked is a PDF to U.S. Census stat’s Participation in Selected Sports Activities: 2005, swimming is number two in the U.S. just behind exercise walking, based on footnote number 2, participants engaged in activity at least six times in the year. But that is the same criteria that they used for almost all of the aerobic activities listed, including exercise walking, running jogging, bicycle riding etc. www.census.gov/.../08s1222.pdf

more people would choose swimming as it's more enjoyable? I'd argue that what is enjoyable is highly subjective. In general, I enjoy running more. Swimming is clearly more expensive unless you have free or heavily subsidized access to a pool.