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How Effective is Swimming for fat Loss?
By Christina | June 19, 2009
Swimmers swear that theirs is the best of the cardiovascular workouts around. Unfortunately, evidence shows otherwise. Doing the breaststroke or backstroke burns as many calories as a fast walk or a slow job so why is that not enough to be considered a good fat loss exercise? According to the American Medical Sports Journal, swimming has little to no effect on fat loss unless there is a diet along with the activity unlike cycling for example which does help with fat loss even if the diet is not changed. The main reason for the lack of results in the water has to do with the type of muscular action involved. While swimming the muscles are performing mainly concentric movements when what’s needed are eccentric movements to create the change in the body. Swimmers often incorporate dry land training to increase their muscle mass and create the changes in strength along with metabolic increases needed for fat loss.
Swimming should not be abandoned however especially of you are either going to swim or do nothing at all!
Topics: Aqua Fitness, Fitness Tips |
