swimming

[GraemeK]

will swimming every morning affect my bodies ability to build muscle? i.e using most muscle groups everyday even on and after the days of weight trainning...

i want to swim in the mornings as a form of cardio to increase my matabolism.
as i think its damm slow!

thanks

G

[mixtic187]

If you enjoy swimming and can do it between other forms of exercise, go for it! I swam all through high school and I miss it now! My arms and back were amazingly toned. your leg muscles will also be greatly impacted. The best part is that its not too stressful on your knees like other cardiovascular activities. Start out slow though.. its rough to start and maintain a good breathing pattern at first.

[JawD]

On the subject of swimming, after a workout I usually go in the pool and do around 10 laps (250 mtrs) at fairly slow pace. Although a good cardio workout, would it hinder any work I am doing in the gym before hand?

[mixtic187]

nah.. i don't see how it could..

[JawD]

Thanks! Cant remember where I heard it, but I thought that it could hinder muscle growth? But I do find it a great part of my routine (although I must get some goggles as my eyes look as red as tomatoes when I get out because of the Chlorine!!)

Enjoy. I love swimming too...!

[mixtic187]

some people believe it hinders muscle growth perhaps.. i have never heard it pertained to swimming.. but i've heard it about running... swimming requires lots of muscle strength.. and i notice it doesn't slim down muscle the way running does.. goggles are a very good idea.. gotta love when you take them off though.. they leave racoon marks around your eyes.. i'd also recommend swimming without moving your legs.. it's great for your arms to tug your whole body through the water.. just be sure to stretch so you don't kill your shoulders!

[GraemeK]

thats cool then!

thanx

i'm working on my shoulders trying to increase size. i was advised not to lower the reps and up weight on my shoulders in case of injury as shoulders are a weak muscle group???

um...hopefully if i continue to do my 4 sets x 12 reps plus swimming my shoulders will still continue to develop in size as well as definition.

Graeme.

[Piper]

It's best not to mix cardio with a workout... so if you are going swimming... don't workout straight afterwards as it impacts the amount you lift and it's not very effective...

Also, don't do it the opposite way around as your muscles are fatigued and you won't be able to get a good cardio session...

as far as I know it's ok as long as you break them up... eg... keep them about 2-3 hours apart....

4 sets x 12 reps?

Why not try 3 x 8.... that's supposed to be the most effective according to a book I have here... doing too much sets creates a lot of lactic acid and increases catabolicism (or whatever).

hope this helps...

[GraemeK]

piper...

i was told to do 12 reps at first to gain strength. i chose 4 sets which felt a good amount.
i am lowering the reps to 10ish on chest and back because i want to increase mass in though areas. but all other areas i want to build/define. so i chose 4 x 12...
12 to failure.

oh and i'll be doing swimming in the morning and weights in the evening.

G

[JawD]

Please correct me if I am wrong here, but I was led to believe that doing 3 x 12 etc is good for muscle stamina but for mass / strength you should do a heavier weight at lower reps ie 3 x 8. I do 3 x 8 and the weights I use mean that the last 4 or so reps really are difficult on the last set.