Swimming instead of gym-ing
By beamsey
@beamsey (425)
Philippines
May 21, 2009 1:15am CST
I have been swimming instead of going to the gym for the past few days. I found it to be more fun and I don't have to give as much effort as going to the gym. I'm just a little bit concerned about the exercise I've been doing.
I do laps of freestyle and butterfly. But besides laps, what other individual exercise can I do in the pool? What strokes are best for over-all body workout and for losing weight?
2 people like this
6 responses
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
22 May 09
I don't think swimming is as much of a workout as you can get at the gym lifting weights, working out on machines, etc. But it is definitely fun! And still good exercise if you swim laps.
I like to go swimming when it is too hot to do other exercises. I've also started jogging/running recently and I think that I really like that, except that I may have twisted my ankle yesterday because today I can barely put any pressure at all on my left foot.
I haven't lost any weight with swimming so I can't say what's good on that. If I can lose some weight, I'll let everyone know!
1 person likes this
@beamsey (425)
• Philippines
23 May 09
You should have your foot checked. Keep your weight off it. Anyway, I've had friends who've lost weight with swimming. Though their shoulders got broader too and some developed muscles in the arms and legs. I wouldn't want that. I still go to the gym but I've added swimming to my workout. :)
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
23 May 09
I've been keeping weight off it. I'll have time to go in on Tuesday if it still hurts by then. So that's good at least. I just wish I didn't do that though because I would love to go running this weekend.
My friends way back in high school got huge broad shoulders on the swim team. I actually would love to be muscular so long as I wouldn't be fat too! But I can't swim as good as they did.
One of my friends lost 4 sizes swimming in a community college course. But her secret was that she was never active before. Since I'm already active, my metabolism is very resistant to actually losing any weight. I would apparently need to become super active to actually lose any weight.
@metschica25 (5399)
• United States
23 May 09
Hey !
I am a swimmer and I think what you are doing is fine , and even better it sounds like you are enjoying yourself . Laps of course are good , and you can lift some weights in the pool like I do (nothing much LOL for me just 5 lbs) You could always do water aerobics. I kinda just have fun when i swim , but sometimes like to up it .
1 person likes this
@cortney09 (1345)
• United States
29 May 09
I think freestyle is good, but any stroke is good for this type of exercise. I think that swimming is one of the best type of exercising to do. Most people don't realize how hard you are working out when swimming since you don't feel yourself sweating. It's also very easy on your joints.
1 person likes this
@phyrre (2317)
• United States
21 May 09
Doggy style, believe it or not, works tons of muscles, too.
If you're looking for other fun ways to work out in the water, you could try water aerobics. They're more entertaining in the water, especially if you have a group of friends.
Also, try hitting a beach ball back and forth with friends while treading water in the deep end. Not only is it tons of fun, but it really gets your heart rate up and you burn a lot of calories!
@catbirdgirl (52)
• United States
16 Jun 09
jogging in the pool, get some of the water barbells and do strength training. also the pool is excellent for flexibility work. Youtube has a lot of water aerobics videos.
@laurahen (596)
• Canada
14 Jul 09
Good for you! Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise that works the entire body! I like to do front crawl/ free style because it really gets my heart pumping. For a good routine you could do free style to one side and then back crawl going in the opposite direction. The back crawl helps you to get your breath while still keeping the heart beating fast. You can also tread water on the spot which really takes tons of energy and strength to stay up.
