swimming for weight loss?

eclery

Is swimming daily good for weight loss?

Random

I'm not expert but I've pretty much been told this to date:
* Doing something is better than doing nothing for weight loss.
* Swimming isn't the best option but it will certainly make a difference.

Khannie

+1 on all that.

tankbarry

I done alot of swimming when I tore ligaments in my foot as it was meant to be a help with the injury. After a few weeks i noticed that i lost alot of weight around the boobs, shoulders and the thighs so I think it does work

sul02

Swimming is a great workout. I would recommend swimming in intervals eg 100m as hard as you can then short rest, repeat. Keep a eye on the clock so you have a target for each set.

I found on the net that some ppl think doing long distance at a moderate pace is a better workout, i tried both methods and felt i got the better work out from the intervals.

Mellor

If you aren't a stronger swimmer it won't be a great workout.

corkcomp

swimming can be good for weightloss, IF the duration, intensity and frequency of sesisons are right! and as long as diet is pretty good!

as mentioned above, if you are a weak swimmer it wont be a good workout e.g. if you can only do what a lot of casual swimmers do, one or two lengths, then 5 minutes rest!

The Davestator

something else to think about - swimming can cause a lot of people to get really really hungry afterwards so be prepared with decent foods.

Zamboni

The Davestator wrote: »

something else to think about - swimming can cause a lot of people to get really really hungry afterwards so be prepared with decent foods.

A most excellent point.

dudara

I've often noticed the hunger thing after a swimming session - interesting to hear that it's a common thing.

Swimming, like all exercise, will only help you if you are truly exerting yourself.

Procasinator

The Davestator wrote: »

something else to think about - swimming can cause a lot of people to get really really hungry afterwards so be prepared with decent foods.

I remember Transform had a piece of this. It's is believe that swimming raise the hormone grelin. This signal from the stomach to tell the brain the person is hungry (in simple terms :P).

This doesn't mean swimming won't help you lost weight, just it might not be easy as other methods (like running).

Swimming is also a non-impact exercise, which can have it's advantageous and disadvantageous. Maybe take the occasional run to give the bones some impact.

d'Oracle

OP.

Presuming you can swim a bit, it might be a good thing to get some lane coaching.

A coach will help you work on you weaknesses if you arent strong.
And a good coach will help you push the intensity which is always good.

The_Kew_Tour

yes swimming for me has defo helped me keep off the fat would have swimming in my weekly plans for fitness

06621121

eclery wrote: »

Is swimming daily good for weight loss?

Your working all the muscles so yes good workout! Good pair of goggles and togs and your sorted!
Best of luck!

The_Kew_Tour

06621121 wrote: »

Your working all the muscles so yes good workout! Good pair of goggles and togs and your sorted!
Best of luck!

+1 yes if your going get serious invest in those goggles, worth the money trust me

gaz wac

adrian280582 wrote: »

+1 yes if your going get serious invest in those goggles, worth the money trust me

Starting to bring swimming into my workout next week. always had problems with goggles letting in water. whats the best make / model ?

Cheers

eclery

Thanks a mil - i swim daily - do 30 laps each day (20 metre pool) only started 3mths ago (have lost 21lbs to date) so roughly about 2lbs a week swimming but I also walk briskly every day for 30-40 minutes & have a good diet too.....I do 2 freestyle then 2 breast stroke & really push myself -

As for googles I just bought mine at the pool - be sure that they are on tight enough - thats how water gets in.

Unpossible

gaz wac wrote: »

Starting to bring swimming into my workout next week. always had problems with goggles letting in water. whats the best make / model ?

Cheers

Most competitive swimmers use swedish goggles, but it can take a while to get used to them. Personally I would simply recommend that you get a pair that have an adjustable nose piece. A lot of people are fooled into buying fancy expensive ones from speedo that have a nose piece you cannot tighten or loosen, the problem is that after a few weeks or months the nose piece starts to sag/expand/stretch and you have no way of tightening it.


As for the OP's question, it all depends on the type swimming you do, as others have said doing relaxed swimming up and down the pool taking 5 mins rest is not going to give you an Olympian body (I know people who genuinely think it does and then they complain about not losing weight). My advice is to check out a local masters club, in ours we have people of different levels, beginners who can only do 25-50m at a go and ex club swimmers. I'd imagine other masters clubs would be the same.

lonestargirl

I like Speedo Speedsocket goggles. They come with a selection of nosepieces so you can use the one that fits you best and they have a small rubber layer so are more comfortable than Swedish goggles. They don't need to be really tight, you should be able to slip you finger inside them behind your head.

I sometimes wear my HRM when swimming. It's set up for my height (5 10") and weight (78 kg), and I usually burn 500 - 600 calories in a hour (avg HR 150, max usually 180).