How good is Swimming

**Asriel** · Posted On: 6/01/2007 4:16am

I've recently started Swimming to supplement my Cardio and have found that I do it more than I used to run because I actually enjoy it. People keep rolling off cliche lines like "Swimming is the best form of exercise because it works your whole body" but is this actually true?

I find that I'm toning up more after only a few weeks and I find myself seriously out of breath when doing front crawl but is it actually a good cardio supplement?

**crablord** · Posted On: 6/01/2007 4:27am

not for bjj, its rubbish.

Do lots of sprinting and skipping.

Bjj needs good explosive power and you need good steam.

swimming is too constant and low intensity.

swimming would be better for say..kickboxers

**Cullion** · Posted On: 6/01/2007 4:35am

If you're going to do long, steady cardio, swimming is probably less likely to injure your joints because it's low impact.

**Raining_Blood** · Posted On: 6/01/2007 4:36am

You cant say it is rubbish because it is of a low intensity. You can also ran at a very low intensity. You try swimming freestyle for 50m full steam, rest a minute, another 50m and repeat and note the intensity. If that isnt tough enough for you try the same thing with butterfly. Like all things swimming's benefits depends on how it is done. Changing up the strokes is also something not possible with running. So yes swimming can be a very good cardio tool.

**crablord** · Posted On: 6/01/2007 4:39am

yes, but sprinting is far more effective for short burst work and massive intensity exercise.

Not saying swimming isnt good, runnings just better.

true about the joints though

**Asriel** · Posted On: 6/01/2007 4:48am

I'm currently being advise on how to do a variation of burst training while Swimming. Basically involves exploding into front crawl as fast as you can for a length or two.

**spirez** · Posted On: 6/01/2007 12:15pm

I did 15 minutes swimming as fast as i could yesterday and i was knackered afterwards! Could feel the burn in the upper body too.

I don't know if i buy into the whole 'running is better than swimming' thing or even vice versa as, well, BJJ is neither! End of the day they are useful for building up base cardio but to be fit for your sport you have to train specifically for your sport. Do you think Lance Armstrong could roll for an hour?

**crablord** · Posted On: 6/01/2007 12:25pm

"you need to train specificlly for your sport"

do sprinters run up and down a field all day?
no, they do weight training, they do breathing exercises, 90% of the time they arent sprinting.

the best way to be fit for your sport isnt always doing your sport.

Bottom line, sprints are the absolute best exercise for short burst power

**Liffguard** · Posted On: 6/01/2007 12:56pm

Bottom line, sprints are the absolute best exercise for short burst power

Not saying you're definitely wrong but I'd question that. What about plyometrics like burpees? What about Tabata squats? Sprints are definitely very good but I wouldn't be confident in saying they're the best.

**chayok** · Posted On: 6/01/2007 1:31pm

Swimming doesn't nearly work the legs as good as running. You can kick during freestyle, but because you are horizontally lying on water, you simply won't work on legs like you could in running. However someone talked about intensity, swimming is great for short bursts