Stupid question about swimming

[Jimbo]

I have a stupid question about swimming.

I'm interested in continuing to lose fat while keeping what little muscle I have. As I increase my swimming distances my energy and time to devote to lifting is becoming more and more limited.

My question is..if I do not lift. Will continual swimming cause me to shed muscle or build? I mean, I haven't seen too many swimmers that were skinny. Most are well built. Not bulky by any stretch but muscular.

What would happen to my body if I keep increasing swimming time and decreasing lift time?

[swiminto]

Jimbo, I am no expert, but the I think, the best thing to do is both....Swimming is one of the best exercises you can do, and it does work all the body systems and muscle groups, but it I do not think that the added resistance of water, will aid you in increasing muscle, unless you are swimming at the Age group or college level. Think 5,000-15,000 meters a day.

Most swim programs incorporate a weight workout/component to the program, although when I believe the weight workouts were more for power then for hypertrophy.

I know this probably did not help you. Hope you can find a happy medium..oh maybe not, if you go lift, then you are not racking up the meterage and keeping up with me..LOL

[Jimbo]

Originally Posted by swiminto

...Think 5,000-15,000 meters a day.

...Hope you can find a happy medium..oh maybe not, if you go lift, then you are not racking up the meterage and keeping up with me..LOL

5000 to 15000 a day! OMG How do they keep from having injury?!! My arms would fall OFF! I don't understand how that kind of thing is possible without injections of something or other. dang

I think I'll keep lifting. At the very least to retain what little muscle I have. As far as the keeping up with you goes..I'm not so sure I could do that even if I didn't lift. But I'l keep nipping at you heals bro.

[swiminto]

Most age groupers and college athletes that are highly competitive may swim twice a day, and maybe once on Saturday, then have Sunday off, these workouts can be up to 2 hours long. So basically in a week, a competitive swimmer could be swimming, 20-24 hours total. Now that is a lot of swimming.

I am sure that the other swimmers here, who swam college and/or age groups can tell you better what swim programs are like these days, I have been out of that type of swimming for about 17 years now.

[Jimbo]

Originally Posted by swiminto

Most age groupers and college athletes that are highly competitive may swim twice a day, and maybe once on Saturday, then have Sunday off, these workouts can be up to 2 hours long. So basically in a week, a competitive swimmer could be swimming, 20-24 hours total. Now that is a lot of swimming.

I am sure that the other swimmers here, who swam college and/or age groups can tell you better what swim programs are like these days, I have been out of that type of swimming for about 17 years now.

I'm quite sure I would sustain a lifelong shoulder injury if I tried to keep that schedule. Wish I had that kind of endurance. That's awesome.

[florablais]

As a swim coach I must say that it is important to keep weight training. My college level swimmers have an intense weight room program for their strength and for their body weight maintenance. The water time is mainly composed of drill work, pace work, lactic tolerance and anaerobic threshold sets.
Do not cut too much from the weight room. Refine your swim workouts instead.

[RobLL]

Limited experience speaking, but 20 years of 'cardio swimming' kept me fit, but did not build muscles or get rid of fat.

[Jimbo]

Originally Posted by florablais

As a swim coach I must say that it is important to keep weight training. My college level swimmers have an intense weight room program for their strength and for their body weight maintenance. The water time is mainly composed of drill work, pace work, lactic tolerance and anaerobic threshold sets.
Do not cut too much from the weight room. Refine your swim workouts instead.

Thanks so much and it's great to have a swim coaches advice in here!! Hope you'll continue lurking around here. The swimming forum doesn't get too many hits. But there are a few of us die hard swimming addicts. Welcome.

[Jimbo]

Originally Posted by RobLL

Limited experience speaking, but 20 years of 'cardio swimming' kept me fit, but did not build muscles or get rid of fat.

That's in line with what I'm hearing..so I'll keep lifting. I tend to drop muscle off pretty easily anyway..so I better do all I can to keep what I have. Thanks for your post!