Cardio - swimming?

[Quiet One]

I'm trying to gain weight which is very hard for me. so i decided to just do cardio every sunday. Is there anything wrong with just doing it once a week sence i don't want to lose any weight? or would it be best to do it more?

Also, as the topic of this post states heh. would swimming every sunday be enough of a cardio workout or should i be doing running or biking instead? I enjoy swimming alot and if it is sufficient then i'd much rather stick to it cause i hate running. haha

any opinions or advice on cardio and/or swimming is very welcome.

[bryanc]

The NUMBER ONE reason to pick an activity over any other is adherence. If you pick an activity that is "scientifically" better than another, but you don't enjoy, or don't enjoy more than one you would rather be doing, chances are (except with individuals will extremely large capacities for self-punishment and misery) you aren't going to stick to your own program. If you hate running, don't take it up. You'll just spend lots of money on shoes and just end up with really expensive sneakers.

With respect to your question as to whether swimming once a week is enough cardio, I think the answer is, "Enough for what?" Why are you doing it at all? I'm not saying you shouldn't, but whatever it is that you do, should be consistent with your fitness goals. Once you can answer that question, then someone can give a more specific answer as to whether your swimming once a week will do what you think it will do.

[poopy pants]

"Enough for what?"

One can assume to "achieve good cardiovascular fitness" in relation to his or her present state. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[Quiet One]

good point bryanc, I think im gonna stick to swimming. I enjoy it alot.

as for "enough for what" basicly what tony said, improve my present state, which... is pretty poor. lol. I would like to do some cardio to improve my cardiovascular fitness but i don't want to do enough so that i start losing the weight im gaining. and dont say eat more cause im already stuffing myself [img]tongue.gif[/img] and don't wanna cram any more down my throat

I guess what i want to know is will swimming just once a week help me in anyway or am i doing it just for shits and giggles? haha

[Q.]

Unless you are already a good swimmer, I don't think that swimming is going to do a lot for you. I used to swim a lot and liked it okay. It can get pretty boring looking at bottom of a pool, if that's where you are swimming. Still, I was dedicated and did it regularly for a year or two. However, unless you get your turns and can your breathing down to where they are efficient enough to really kick it, then, IMHO, I don't think you can get the same aerobic workout as you could running, biking or whatever.

Still, if that's what you enjoy, sounds like that's what you ought to do... maybe just BECAUSE you enjoy it! As I recall, I thought I read that water insulates the body so you don't burn as many calories for the same amount of effort. If that's true and you are trying to gain, it may be the ticket for more than one reason.

On the other hand... I did have a "swimming instructor" friend tell me that the worse a swimmer you are, the harder you work so it's actually more work to move the same distance. I understand the logic but didn't experience it myself since I've been a decent swimmer all my life so I don't know about that one. I see a lot of really well built swimmers... the competitive ones... but I don't see people dropping the lbs like crazy from flailing up and down the lane. She also taught water aerobics.

Q

[fitone]

I agree w/ bryanc, if you enjoy swimming then do it. And swimming does lower bodyfat. Especailly if your doing sprints.

[NickH]

I'm a newbie but will jump in here. First, I swam competitively from the time I was 8 through college and then coached for 3 years. I'm a little biased.

You can definitely get a good work out from swimming. Many times, people assume that just getting in the water and swimming at a leisurely pace will help you lose weight.

While all activity is good, you have to approach swimming just like any other aerobic activity. Get your heart rate up. If you are not swimming enough to get your heart rate up to help you burn some calories, it will not do you much good.

Also, it doesn't matter how far you go. Just get the ticker going and keep it going at target rates.

Some ways to do this are:
Kick with a kick board. It takes some effort to keep moving, it's relatively easy and will get your heart rate up.

Try swimming with paddles. It works your upper body and is also a great way to get the heart going.

Also, try swimming with fins. It makes it easier for you to swim and fools you in to kicking harder and getting your heart going.

Like anything, start with a base and aim to add some distance or speed each time you go.

Start with a warm up to loosen up, get your heart up by moving any way you can, and then cool down.

Sorry to be so wordy. Hope this helps.

Nick