I know the debate that many believes freestyle is the fastest style around - but remember one Olympics event where a female swimmer broke the freestyle record by using a "slower" style - the breaststroke? Anyway, my question is: between freestyle and breaststroke, which is more efficient in toning the body? Please explain your reason. Thanks folks!
2006-12-08 00:24:16 · 12 answers · asked by CraziED 3 in Sports ➔ Swimming & Diving
Not sure on this one and having been a teacher of swimming at an advanced level I have never really thought about it. I would think that the Front Crawl has the edge as it is a continuous stroke with arms and legs all working all of the time. The breaststroke has a recovery cycle where there is no pressure on the leg or arm muscles. The front crawl gives a much better exercise to lungs as that to is continuous. Both strokes do a very good toning job to the stomach muscles. By the way if I enter a freestyle race I can do any stroke I wish, even, if it were possible, I could walk along the bottom. I could also swim part of the race underwater. So do not confuse the front crawl with freestyle.
Have a happy Christmas.
2006-12-08 00:35:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not quite sure.... I swam competitevly for a while, and I found that 1 stroke couldn't really do EVERYTHING for you... you need a combination. Butterfly works hips, arms, shoulders, and a bit of the legs; freestyle works arms, shoulders, legs; backstroke is the same as freestyle and brest is good for the chest and legs.... so if you want to work your whole body, i'd recommend doint IM's.... if you don't know what that is its a medly of the strokes, the order being Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Freesyle. A good way to remember the order is the saying " Butter your back, so your breast is free" :D
2006-12-08 08:18:52 · answer #2 · answered by blonde_tornado2002 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Quite honestly I would say that Butterfly is the hardest and most aerobic stroke but going fast in a freestyle form will also tone your body over a matter of time.
2006-12-08 15:24:44 · answer #3 · answered by patriotbaseballer 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can only say breaststroke because when I've done that rather than freestyle I am utterly exhausted. Freestyle is sort of more relaxing I think.
2006-12-08 00:40:21 · answer #4 · answered by JoJi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as a swimmer who takes part in competitions, i'd say a bit of both really. breastroke works the back muscles far more, but both strokes tone different sets of muscles all the time due to the constant arm cycles swapping muscle groups, and breastroke with the leg cycles too. i'd also recommend a bit of fly and backstroke to really feel the benefit, and also use a pull buoy and kickboad to give your arms/legs a rest once in a while. hope that helps, happy swimming!
2006-12-08 03:16:05 · answer #5 · answered by alabama w 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I real think it`s the back stroke as this takes more effort than the freestyle.
The back stroke uses more muscles,such as your tummy
muscles and shoulder muscle's are worked harder also the neck muscles with having to hold it in different positions than
any of the other swimming strokes.
2006-12-08 00:40:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I reckon breaststroke
2006-12-08 00:31:48 · answer #7 · answered by Chianti Man 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Butterfly all the way. Just swam it in a meet. You build a lot of muscle from it.
2006-12-08 13:07:19 · answer #8 · answered by jawsofire 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
butterfly will certainly aid you in strengthening your upper torso and arms. If you are talking about your chest, then obviously breast-stroke will do the trick
2006-12-08 00:35:45 · answer #9 · answered by robliv16 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
butterfly
2006-12-08 00:32:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋