i've had a personal trainer tell me before that swimming is the best cardio because it burns the most calories. i saw an article on the internet last night that said it burns 400 colories per 30 minutes (i realize that's just an average) so i wanted to start swimming. but my friend says today that it's not that good for weight loss.... but she doesnt know why... it just is. yeah... convincing. does anyone know anything about this? seems like burning calories is burning calories to me.
is swimming the best cardio for weight loss?
- Thread starter sarahfina
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Melancholy
New member
ha! I love your friends support for her theory! I didn't personally have success swimming because the thing is, it was so boring to me. I even bought a iPod sleeve for swimming, and that really helped. It was like h20 audio or something, but I could not swim for 1 hour. I can however, run for an hour or even longer. I think if swimming is your thing, then more power to you. Swimming also is shown to make you hungry, especially if the water is not "warm"... here is an excerpt:
A closer look at the research reveals why...
The typical temperature range for a swimming pool is between 25.5 and 27.8 degrees Celsius.
In the first study, subjects swam in an outdoor pool where the water temperature varied between 23 and 25.5 degrees Celsius. That's pretty cold. But in the University of Utah study, the temperature of the water was 27 degrees Celsius — much closer to the temperature of most heated swimming pools.
Why does this matter?
Swimming in cold water stimulates your appetite so that you want to eat more. Many people feel extremely hungry after they've been swimming, especially if the water is cold.
As a result they simply replace all the calories they've burned with a large post-exercise meal, completely wiping out any potential weight loss benefits of the swimming.
"Many people observe that they feel like 'eating a horse' after they have finished a swim training session, and may overcompensate for the energy they have just burned," says Professor Burke.
Some evidence for this comes from a University of Florida study, where researchers examined the effect of water temperature on calorie intake after exercise [3]......
If you want to see the rest of the article, just highlight the first line and google it, it should link you there.
Overall, swimming takes a lot of preparation. Getting goggles, getting to a pool, etc. Running/ walking, you just throw on shoes and hit the pavement. That is the top exercise for me, and has worked thus far!!
-Mellon
A closer look at the research reveals why...
The typical temperature range for a swimming pool is between 25.5 and 27.8 degrees Celsius.
In the first study, subjects swam in an outdoor pool where the water temperature varied between 23 and 25.5 degrees Celsius. That's pretty cold. But in the University of Utah study, the temperature of the water was 27 degrees Celsius — much closer to the temperature of most heated swimming pools.
Why does this matter?
Swimming in cold water stimulates your appetite so that you want to eat more. Many people feel extremely hungry after they've been swimming, especially if the water is cold.
As a result they simply replace all the calories they've burned with a large post-exercise meal, completely wiping out any potential weight loss benefits of the swimming.
"Many people observe that they feel like 'eating a horse' after they have finished a swim training session, and may overcompensate for the energy they have just burned," says Professor Burke.
Some evidence for this comes from a University of Florida study, where researchers examined the effect of water temperature on calorie intake after exercise [3]......
If you want to see the rest of the article, just highlight the first line and google it, it should link you there.
Overall, swimming takes a lot of preparation. Getting goggles, getting to a pool, etc. Running/ walking, you just throw on shoes and hit the pavement. That is the top exercise for me, and has worked thus far!!
-Mellon
scottsblue
New member
sorry but there is a flaw in that theory. like the way its telling you, you dont burn as many caleries becuase you eat more afterwards. thats got nothin to do with how many cals you burn in the pool and also just dont over indulge after a swim.
i did read this article the other day so i`ve had time to think about it, also i may be a bit pro swimming becuase i like it.
Melancholy
New member
Scott, so you are biased no? I am as well! haha... I am biased against swimming... jk. She just asked a question, and I gave some studies (via the article) that support my feelings about swimming. If you have found that scientifically people do indeed lose more weight from swimming, please post those studies so she can see you side of the case.
-Mellon
-Mellon
scottsblue
New member
i just sore lose 400 cals in a 30minute swim lol
but u gota agree eating extra food after any exercise wont be good for you
Melancholy
New member
oh, well if you love the water, and have bad knees, it's a no-brainer... swimming it is. Just do as Scott suggested, and stay away from the food after the swim. Exercise is exercise... calories out need to be greater than calories in, overall for the day. I have been doing that for 4 months, and have lost much more weight than I thought I would... just keep it going, get into the pool about 5 times/ week if you can. I have bad knees, and I had to walk before I could run, but now running is one of my favorite parts of the day. Maybe once you get down to a lower weight, you can start walking/ jogging as well...if you don't feel like swimming, then go for a long, brisk, rapid walk! Good luck!
Risser-Roo
New member
Heeerrrooooo friend!!