Is swimming good exercise as compared to running?

Question

For fat buring, cardio?

Answer 1

Most of the answers I've seen are offer dubious advice about the problems with running. Running minute vs. swimming minute, running burns more calories than swimming. Running is also more convenient, you can do it practically anywhere, while swimming requires a pool and the right temperature.

While swimming is a great source of exercise, do not discount running. Yes, running can be damaging to one's joints, but only if someone abuses their body, involved competitively, and doesn't give it time to repair itself after hard training. Swimming can also be tough on the shoulder joints.

All in all, enjoy both sports (I do), but don't discount running does indeed burn more calories. You can prove this to yourself by using the calorie calculator at: http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/cbc to determine how many calories you burn (based upon your weight and intensity). I did running for 45 minutes (at 160 pounds) at a 6 mph pace (fairly slow) and 45 minutes of swimming at a moderate pace. Swimming came in at 331 calories, running 547 -- nearly double that of swimming.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Yes and no ... it all depends ... the worse of a swimmer you are, the more calories you will burn, since a good swimmer moves very efficiently through the water. Also compared to something like running, which burns tons of calories, because your body is horizontal, it is easier for the heart to pump blood to the body, since gravity is basically eliminated, so you do not get as good of a cardiovascular workout as you do with running. (now swimming would be better however than walking, since your heartrate doesn't increase much with walking). If you want to use your pool for exercise, try exercising in it ... do water aerobics, jog in the water. The water in this case ads resistance, requiring you to put in more effort and burn more calories. Or better yet, try cross training. One or two days swim laps, two other days go for a run or a jog, and the other two do water aerobics ( the final day you will need to rest and let your body recover from all that activity).

Answer 3

For health or fun swimming is better. Your hart will beat faster for your cardio part of exercise because more of your body is asking for oxygen. You don't have to feel the burn when swimming to get a proper work out. You will also not hurt your joints like the pounding of running or jogging What is the point of being healthy if you are stuck in a wheel chair waiting for a new knee joint.?

Answer 4

Swimming is a great cardio workout.
Alot lot less pounding on the joints.
Water also adds resistance which makes for great toning.
Keep your heartrate up for the cardio effect...at least 3-4 times a week at least 20-40 minutes each session for cardio/fat burning results. Start slow ,end slow. Stretch afterwards when your muscles are warm.

Answer 5

Swimming is overall a better sport to do than running. Running puts a lot of stress on your joints, like the knees for example. Besides, swimming is better for excercise for fat burning. Running is probably best for cardio.

Answer 6

Swimming is better, actually. Swimming does not damage the joints the way that running does. Running will permanently damage the ankles, knees, hips and spine.

Answer 7

Swimming can actually be better. With swimming, it requires every muscle in the body to help you stay afloat. Also, you use your arms more and legs and abs to stay up. Great exercise!

Answer 8

Yes its a great way to exercise without putting too much pressure on your joints and it works every part of your body.

Answer 9

Yes dont you notice after you get out the pool you are starving thats because you burn so many calories. I run then swim.

Answer 10

Dont just swim...try doing your exercises in the water.... its a great resistance.....and alot easier on your joints......