Guest guest Posted January 24, 2005 Report Share Posted January 24, 2005 , Swimmers do a lot of training, and it'll probably take quite a bit of training for a prolonged period of time to start looking like one! Swimmers do tend to have a lean and " long-muscled " look to them - any swimmers that look bulky probably got that from the gym. I've also heard the theory about the " cold water " equating to fat storage but I believe that this is most likely not true. I used to be a swimmer and noticed that most active swimmers generally don't carry excess. At the end of the day, for swimmers as for any other trainers, its largely a matter of the number of calories consumed and the number of calories expended. Genetics will also play a role. All the best with your swimming - while it may have certain benefits in shape - one of its greatest benefits is cardiovascular, Gareth Simons Winnipeg Manitoba Canada ex-SA swimming Swimming is often touted as a exercise that works every muscle in your body. I disagree but am interested in swimming. I see competitive swimmers and they have great bodys, but I think that is from the time they spend in the weight room. I've seen swimmers that are at the competitive level (so I know they are training regularly) and are flabby. Does anyone have any knowledge of what a fitness program of only swimming would do for you? What it change your body much? I've even heard it can trigger your body to store fat due to the cold water. I wish I could see a study that showed people that didn't train then showed them again after a year or so of swimming. I'm not looking to just swim but include it in to my program at some level. I just want to know what swimming alone really does for the body. I have a feeling it is way overrated, but for some reason really appeals to me. de la Garza Garden Grove, Orange County, California Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2005 Report Share Posted January 26, 2005 , In my experience, swimming is good for developing back, core, shoulders, arms...and not so good in developing quads and calves. I guess I added about 10 lbs of muscle weight in the first half year. All this of course presumes one is a competent enough swimmer to be able to concentrate on moving through the water and not focus primarily on survival. As in running, it's easy to vary the intensity of the workout. Depending on your pool, you reach a decision point (to rest or not) at each turn. Warmups are as easy as they need to be. Sprints can easily drive you into O2 deficit. Unlike running, there is no impact to the knees. Competitive swimmers often put in several miles each day. For me, a hard couple thousand yards is enough. They burn considerably more calories than me which is why their body fat percentage is considerably less than mine. F. Oliver Barrett North Potomac, MD > > Swimming is often touted as a exercise that works every muscle in your body. I disagree > but am interested in swimming. I see competitive swimmers and they have great bodys, > but I think that is from the time they spend in the weight room. > > I've seen swimmers that are at the competitive level (so I know they are training regularly) > and are flabby. > > Does anyone have any knowledge of what a fitness program of only swimming would do > for you? What it change your body much? I've even heard it can trigger your body to > store fat due to the cold water. > > I wish I could see a study that showed people that didn't train then showed them again > after a year or so of swimming. > > I'm not looking to just swim but include it in to my program at some level. I just want to > know what swimming alone really does for the body. > > I have a feeling it is way overrated, but for some reason really appeals to me. > > > > de la Garza > Garden Grove, Orange County, California Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2005 Report Share Posted February 7, 2005 , From a long time swimmer (age 6-20 competitively) and not much of a gym rat, I can attest that swimming does indeed work every major muscle group. The key word there is 'major', it tends to train most everything in conjunction, and therefore you get that long sinued muscle look. Much like long term yoga practitioners in my experience. What you will most definitely receive from a year of only swimming is: less overall body fat (that cold water theory is a myth), increased lung capacity, greater overall flexibility, and an increased appetite. As a coach for somewhat elite level high school swimmers I was careful not to let the kids do too much weight training, as it tends to lead to a loss in flexibility, which outweighs the gains in strength. most strength building was gained doing push-ups, various core excersizes, pull-ups, and a 20 minute series of stretches (much like a short yoga class) just before entering the water. It is a sport that you will be able to enjoy and excel in for the remainder of your life, and unless you are foolish there is almost no danger of injury. A. Clements Kula, Hawaii > swimming > > > > Swimming is often touted as a exercise that works every muscle in your body. I disagree > but am interested in swimming. I see competitive swimmers and they have great bodys, > but I think that is from the time they spend in the weight room. > > I've seen swimmers that are at the competitive level (so I know they are training regularly) > and are flabby. > > Does anyone have any knowledge of what a fitness program of only swimming would do > for you? What it change your body much? I've even heard it can trigger your body to > store fat due to the cold water. > > I wish I could see a study that showed people that didn't train then showed them again > after a year or so of swimming. > > I'm not looking to just swim but include it in to my program at some level. I just want to > know what swimming alone really does for the body. > > I have a feeling it is way overrated, but for some reason really appeals to me. > > > > de la Garza > Garden Grove, Orange County, California Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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