Swimming vs. Running?

[Chris09]

I did a search on the forum and had trouble finding the answer to this question. Does anyone know? I just learned how to swim about three weeks ago. Well actually I thought I always could but I have never gone further than like 5 feet in a backyard pool. I went to the 50m pool with my girlfriend to go swimming. Well, she did the swimming swimming, I was just doing a lot of splashing and gasping for air as I slowly made it across the pool. I think I drank half of the water in the pool too. One lap later....I was done. I am finally getting the hang of the breathing thing and have totally dropped running and weights...now I just swim. I didnt want to drop the weights but I am so determined to actually swim and do it the right way. I can barely go 25 meters without feeling completely out of breath. I am not physiclly tired at all, I just cant breath by the end. My question is this. Which is better...swimming or running. And does swimming build any muscle at all? If I go every day, is it possible to build a little muscle while staying trim or do I need to keep hitting the weight room when I get a chance? Thanks for all the help guys...and girls :-)

[LifterMike]

You wont gain any muscle from swimming, except maybe in the delt area, I would definitely keep hitting the weights, but only spaced 8 hours from the swimming, if you plan on doing it as a form of cardio. As far as staying 'trim', if you mean keeping your fat % down then with a decent diet swimming is a excellent form of cardio. :

[mixtic187]

Swimming is great exercise for people who have knee problems or any other joint issues because it's low impact.. You are having problems breathing just because you haven't had enough practice.. it doesn't necessarily mean you are out of shape.. As a new swimmer you just have to get used to the rhythmic breathing..
Also, you might just have to practice to become more efficient with your arm and leg movements.. dont' give up!! I'd run and swim interchangably.. that way you get the best of both worlds.. and as for your question if swimming builds muscle, it certainly does.. I know some really sexy men swimmers with awesome back and shoulder muscles.. people don't realize how hard your body actually works to keep yourself from drowning )

If you have any other questions about swimming, ask me.. I'm a swim instructor

[fawn]

Yeah, swimming does build muscle, especially on ur deltoids..just look at the women swimmers....

[Bvlgari]

I got a quesiton, mixtic187.

I HATE swimming. I hate it so bad, because I'm so bad at it. But I desperately want to get good. I went to the Naval Academy this summer, and I am going to apply. But I know I won't go unless I get good a swimming, like really good (as in, super good). I've got the better part of a year.

What would you recommend. The hardest part is the breathing.

I'm in my senior year at high school in Denmark, and am therefore quite busy.

IN advance,thanks.

[Chris09]

mixtix187

What are some things that you can think of that may be affecting my breathing? When I swim, I go for a breath after every two strokes of my left arm. So ...breath ...left ...right ...left ....right ....breathe. In between breaths I blow air slowly out of my nose and have blown all of it out by the time I get to the next stroke. But as I approach the 20 meter mark, I will be blowing out air and run out after one stroke. I am still breathing in the same amount of air each time I breathe in but I am not able to breathe out as much. Then I start kind of wanting to gasp for air. If I come up and breath after just one stroke, it is a gasp. You know how if you hold your breath for a long time until you just cant hold it anymore, when you first start to breathe, you are going to be breathing really hard and kind of gasping. Well, one gasp of air does not do the trick. This is where the problem comes. I will start taking these gasps of air but they do no good. When I get to the end of the pool, I have to stop for about 20 or 30 seconds to catch my breath before I get going again. This is frustrating because the people in the other lanes are going lap after lap without stopping. People that I know I am in much better condition than can do it. Do my lungs just evolve and start to take to swimming over time? If so, how long do I give them before I am to believe that it may be something else? Do I need a new technique? Thank you so much for your help.

[Cort]

Originally Posted by fawn

Yeah, swimming does build muscle, especially on ur deltoids..just look at the women swimmers....

Well, if you mean some of the more competitive league swimmers it is likely they do some sort of weight training as well.

[mixtic187]

Chris.. u are jumping the gun by holding your breath that long.. most swimmers begin by putting their face in the water and breathing every other stroke.. for instance i'd breathe every left stroke.. so, right arm (face in), left arm (face out to the left side), right arm (face in), left arm (face out to the side).. you can gradually build up to breathing every other 2 strokes.. but your lungs just have to build up the capacity to wait that long as you are working your muscles.. when you are exercising you MUST give yourself as much oxygen as necessary.. no wonder you are tiring yourself out.. imagine lifting weights and trying to hold you breath at the same time or running miles while holding your breath..

It may take a few weeks to build up to breathing every 2 strokes, but there is nothing wrong with that.. it doesn't mean you are out of shape.. like i said.. its a natural rhythm that comes along with it..

Let me know if I haven't answered your question or if you have any other concerns!

[mixtic187]

Bvlgari

Before I can make suggestions I need to know a couple of things..Have you had any formal lessons before?? What are u capable of doing in the water?? Do you know how to swim crawl stroke properly?? and Yes breathing is the hardest part but it's something that you get used to as you practice more.. don't be discouraged from entering the Naval Academy just because you aren't a professional swimmer...

Let me know so I can possibly help you!

[Chris09]

Hey thanks. A&M's pool opens at 10 am today. I cant wait to get in there and try it out. I really hope this works. I will add so much distance to my swims because I dont have to take time out to stop and catch my breath. Thanks again

[Lady C]

The other big difference between swimming and running is your body does not heat up in the pool. It is really tough to gauge a great workout in terms of heat/sweat factors. I would recommend getting a heart rate monitor and make sure you keep the heart rate up where you need it.

[Bvlgari]

Mixtic187:

I suspect I might have some technique problems as regards kicking and strokes.

When I was younger my mother sent me to swimming lessons for a little while, but I HATED IT. No actually, HATED just doesn't cut it. I don't have the vocab to describe my feelings at the time.

I probably had a crappy teacher, is all.

In my opinion, I've basically never had proper tutoring.

But I aim to practice regardless.

[mixtic187]

Lady C,

I don't necessarily agree.. After you have been swimming for a few weeks consistently, you can definitely feel a difference in body heat.. i can actually feel my body heat up and myself sweating in the water.. and I know other swimmers have felt the same way.... not to mention i'm out of breath and all my muscles become exhausted..

Many times I'd rather go running because, yes, for the most part running seems to be a quick way to raise that heartbeat and burn calories.. But I like to mix it in with swimming when i have the opportunity.. this way you are exercising different muscles and sometimes my knees bother me if I run too much..

Not to mention the sexy raccoon eyes I get from the goggles

[mixtic187]

Bvlgari,

Make sure when you kick you kick your knees together and your toes pointed.. and when you use your arms they are long and straight.. when you use them to stroke, make sure you bring them all the way down and let your hand brush your thigh and then when you bring them up make sure your arm goes as high as you ear.. I wish we had a virtual reality pool or something and I could help ya and see what y ou are doing wrong.. also make sure you aren't trying too hard to keep ur head out of the water.. let your face rest in the water.. otherwise you are wasting all ur energy by straining ur neck to keep ur face outta the water..


Instead of trying to go right into crawl stroke i'd suggest on using a kickboard to practice kicking effectively and then also using it to practice ur arms (hold the end of the kickboard with one hand and practice stroking each arm seperately as you kicK).. this way you can perfect each component of ur stroke before you combine everything )

[Bvlgari]

Oki. Sounds like a plan. I'll try it out and get back to you.

Appreciate the advice, really!