What is really better for you body? Swimming or Running?

Question

Im a long distance runner and swimmer. I know that running puts a lot of impact on your ankles and shins which isn't good in the long run, but i fell so good after a run. My vote is on swimming though because it's less hard on your body but i would love some more input.

Answer 1

I agree that swimming is less hard on your body but there is nothing quite like running. Its one of the best workouts for your body, then again if you are a hard core swimmer than that will give you a great workout, really get your heart rate up.

I would have to go with swimming personally, just because of the impact running has on my knees.

PS I like your avatar :-)

Answer 2

Swimming may be a better overall workout for your body, but there's no reason to stereotype running as an injury sport. If you do the right stretches and flexibility training, before and after you run, you can prevent injury. You also have to make sure you're running the 'right' way, because a lot of people get injuries from landing on their feet the wrong way, or from wearing the wrong kinds of shoes, or from just doing the wrong workouts.

I would personally say to do both running and swimming, because I think you get something different out of both, even if swimming is more popular for health nuts. I love to run, and it keeps me in great shape, and swimming is great cross-training that gets me off the road.

Answer 3

Although swimming is better for your body in the long run, I prefer running by far even though I like both. The reason why I like running better is because I burn more calories in less time. I have very little time for my exercise so I had to "make time" for running. I get up at 5:30 in the morning and run for 30 minutes. I can't do that in swimming.

Answer 4

Dude, swimming definately. It's the best exercise in the world. It uses almost every major muscle in your body and does no damage to you at all over long periods of time. Unlike running, which could cause joint pain due to the impact after several years. Running only works out your bottom half, swimming gets it all.

Answer 5

see every thing should be done in a balanced way as it has both good and bad effects .A thing becomes harmful when u overengage in it but if u bring ur body under various exercises without overengaging in one form of exercise, body develops adaptability,flexibility,and immunity.u can tone ur body by swimming whereas increase blood circulation and oxygenation inside by running.so go for swimming three days a week so that whatever bad effect has been caused by it can be compensated by the positive effects of running done during rest 3 days of week

Answer 6

your right...its less damaging to your body if you train stupidly when your run which most, including myself, do. Swimming works more muscles and can help you running where running can somewhat help you in swimming. Not really. Maybe with breathing. Swimming I think is therefore bettwer for the body.

Answer 7

It reqally depends on what you mean by better for your body.
Wear and tear on your body? Health wise? More work=Harder work and healthier?
Well as a track coach I will tell you that swimming is harder and gives you a high aerobic workout. Swimming 1 Mile is equal to running 5-7 miles.
Go figure...

Answer 8

Swimming. it incredibly works extra muscle groups and it incredibly is a lot much less annoying on the physique. working is fairly intense effect, and as a gymnast you are going to elect to dodge any further joint stress/injury than you will in many circumstances go through. Bicycling would additionally be an extremely large selection.

Answer 9

Swimming.

Answer 10

I'd say swimming is better for your overall body, as it works more muscles while maintaining a low impact environment. However, running burns more calories

Swimming (fast crawl) for 123 lb. woman: 87 calories/10 minutes
Running (8 min/mile) for 123 lb. woman: 113 calories/10 minutes