I think swimming DOES help, but not everyone agrees
 

So, I've been thinking of going to the pool for a LONG time now and finally got around to it this week. I was very excited and thought I could go every morning after I drop kiddos off at school. I went on Friday and again on Monday. I was sore on Friday night and more sore on Monday night. While I was there yesterday an aerobics teacher said that if I were thin and muscular, then swimming would help me burn calories and lose weight. But because I'm "fat" - it really won't do me much good. I was sort of floored that she said that. I was taking "steps" in the water - and I've always heard taking steps in water has resistances (duh) - so it is harder to walk in water. I like to get in my 10,000 steps a day and I'm sorry, but I count walking in water in those steps. They even make water proof pedometers! Swimming works all of my muscles - my arms, back, legs, etc. I am too young to have joint pain and arthritis, but I do have it - and it gets worse all the time. The water is kind to my joints. I did SQUATS in the shallow end - felt SO easy in the water compared to in the gym, and the backs of my thighs are on fire today. Yes, you could say this is a vent - sorry. I was just sad that an aerobics teacher told me that me being in water won't help me much. I know differently.

It's sad that anyone working in fitness would discount quality exercise - but I think "teacher/instructor" is used loosely in many instances in regards to fitness/activity because sometimes there is no education required to do so.

GREAT JOB and keep up the good work!

The only reason I can think of that she might have said that is because when people swim, it can stimulate their appetite, but that's not true for everyone. As long as you're not increasing your calories beyond what you would normally have when you're working out then it's a great option! Also, does Michael Phelps look fat to you? ;) That is just ridiculous that she would say that to you. However, why not use this as motivation to prove her wrong? ;) Make her reassess her statements!

Luckymommy - I will be sure to prove her wrong! I will continue to go and continue to build my endurance, 3 laps one day, 4 laps the next - and every day I will walk, tread water, do squats, etc. I am on a new mission! Nationalparker - I think you are right - I have no idea how much training she has had - and she herself is overweight. I know she has worked there for years but if she is overweight (same size as I am) - then clearly she isn't doing what's right to lose weight. So I won't listen to her :)

She's got an invested interest in keeping you out of the pool and in her classes- but, of course swimming is good exercise.

I used to be a competitive swimmer so I can say with 100% certainty that once you work your way up to swimming laps the weight will fall off.

Gee. My scale must be lying to me. I could wear that I've lost 60lbs (and found some muscle in my shoulders) swimming 5 times a week.

Don't listen. Swim. Any activity is good.

novangel - thanks for making me believe the weight will come off. I don't know how long it will take me to build up to "laps" - But I am trying.
Radiojane - wow, congrats! 60 pounds gone by swimming 5 days week!! WOW, I'm so happy for you!!! Do you mind telling me how it went for you when you first started? And how you worked you way up to where you are now? Right now I can swim one lap, stop and catch my breath then do another. I can't swim one lap and turn around and do my 2nd lap just yet. But I stay in the pool for 2 hours. Sometimes marching in place, or treading water, swimming on my side or back, and the normal freestyle stroke. But I'm such a newbie to swimming. Can't believe how much my legs hurt from doing squats in the water!

Want me to come and sit on her while you work out in the pool? I'd totally do that for you.

She's full of you know what. When I first started on this journey the only exercise I could do at was in the warm water pool (and getting dressed and undressed took more energy than the water exercise).

Every step (or splash) helps. Can you swim and not lose weight - of course. All you have to do is eat back the calories you burn, and that's not hard to do. But even if you do eat the calories back and don't lose, you still will build strength and endurance, which will help you in so many ways, whether or not you lose any weight at all.

And if you're also controlling your calorie intake, you will lose weight. How much does any particular exercise contribute to the speed and amount of weight loss - who the heck cares?

Find ways to burn calories that you enjoy, because if you enjoy it, you'll stick with it.

I can do a lot more in the water than I can on land. I can also spend a tremendously greater amount of time in the water before feeling worn out. So I can burn a lot more calories in the water than I can anywhere else in the gym, if only because I exert myself harder without feeling I'm going to pass out or overheat.

For me overheating is a huge issue. When on an eliptical machine or even just walking laps, I have to be careful not to push myself too hard I can push myself into an asthma attack or I'll overheat. I'll pour sweat, turn bright fuschia, and feel like I'm going to pas out.

That doesn't happen in the water. I can really work to my limit without any ill effects. Even if I do feel myself pushing myself too hard, I can just ease up and tread water lazily until I feel ok again.


It's amazing what ridiculousness comes out of the mouths of people who should know better (especially when it's their job to know better).

I feel super hungry after swimming, but who can deny it burns calories?! As long as I have something filling but not super high calorie after, like eggs, it's all good.

I should qualify that I'm also low cal/primal and work very hard at my diet, and I do very little lap swimming. I do a mish mash of water aerobics and half assed laps. I "run" from the shallow end to the deep end back and forth for about 15 reps, I do squats and lunges in water up to my breastbone, and I do a whole bunch of resistance movements in the deep end. All in all, in an hour, I do about 5 laps and they're usually my warm up or cool down. I used to get winded half way through one lap, now I can usually do two without having to stop.

Basically, you're doing what I'm doing. Keep it up and you'll get more stamina.


You're awesome.

Do they have kick boards you can use at the pool? Try those to help you build stamina. This way you can float and just use your legs. Eventually you can use leg floats to work only your upper body...you will be doing laps someday. I don't care what anyone says; swimming is the BEST exercise a person can do. It works every muscle in your body, plus cardio and you don't put any pressure on joints. Can't go wrong there! Keep going.

I would have just laughed if someone said something like that... But considering the context it doesn't really surprise me... I can't even begin to tell you all the just flat out wrong training "advice" I've heard at gyms over the years...

One year while I was training for the NYC marathon I got injured early on and had to do a lot of my training including my "long" runs in the pool... and I had a great marathon that year... I still like to do "runs" in the pool with an aqua jogger belt for a change of pace...

I love swimming... Not only is it a great workout, but I really enjoy having the time in the water to myself, it really helps me clear my mind and feel more focused as well...

There is one thing that swimming isn't the best for, and that's preserving or increasing bone density. I didn't post links, but googling "Swimming and bone density" will put plenty at your fingertips.

Beyond that ... it's exercise, it's supportive, it's non-impact. There's no concerns about being a sweaty mess. :D It moves your body in ways that make it functionally stronger and more flexible for everyday life.

I think your instructor probably got ahold of one article, read the headline, and felt like an expert. Unless she's ready to go into physiological details of exactly why she thinks her statement is true, and to expound on a large-scale, long term study, it might be better to nod politely and continue to keep doing what feels good. One of the greatest lessons I've learned here at 3FC is that each one of us has our own path. :)

I've been in and around competitive swimming for almost 40 years, and personally know a lot of folks who rediscovered health and fitness through swimming, even well up into their 70's. If you love it, you'll keep doing it, and your body will respond positively. Happy splashing!

Well it is certainly working for me. Swimming is fantastic exercise. But I now only swim but also do a lot of water workouts with weights, water dance, aerobics, etc. I do running, steps, jumping up and down forward and backward, etc. There are all kinds of things you can do in the water that you can't do on solid ground.

A set of foam water weights is excellent for a good workout, too, as is (as someone else suggested) a kickboard. A lot can be done with a noodle and even a big plastic ball.

What a crazy thing for an aerobics teacher to say! And LOL if she is overweight too perhaps she should join you in the water

It is a super overall workout!

:D

Thank you SO much everyone for all of the warm support! I went again today and stayed about an hour - this time I used a lap lane! They only have 3 sectioned off. I rec'd some tips from the lifeguard on how to swim better - I don't normally put my entire face in the water - but manage to swim freestyle - and she encouraged me to put my face under and basically taught me swimming the right way. She also gave me tips for treading water in the deep end while holding my hands over my head, she gave me lots of tips. I am in my mid 40s and have arthritis. Just feeling it this year, and the low impact is awesome - feels great on my entire body. I want to feel proud of my exercise choice. I will continue to lift weights and try things like "walk off the pounds" in small doses - but right now - the water is my friend. I detest changing out of the wet suit while at the pool - and I hate being there without a friend to chat away with - but right now - this pool is my "must do" thing every morning. I will keep swimming along - and building my endurance. Thank you each SOOOOOOOOO much! This is just fantastic support!! Oh as for being hungry - today for lunch after swimming I had a bowl of oatmeal. First bowl of oatmeal I've ever eaten. But it was filling and healthier than a cheeseburger and fries!!! Thanks so much everyone!!!!!!!!

Not only is the above true, but swimming is one of the best forms of exercise to increase lung capacity...because swimming forces you to have controlled breathing (and go slow enough that you can actually breathe). And this forces your lungs to be more efficient. Better lung capacity means more oxygen in your blood lower blood pressure, and the ability for your lungs (breathing) to keep up when you are doing exercises on dry land.

And, its great cross training if you are doing other weight bearing exercises. So keep it up!

I agree! It is great exercise. And there are a lot of fun ways to work out in the water besides laps, which I find incredibly boring. Foam water weights are great, as is a kickboard. And if you can't do much at first, no big deal. You will be surprised how fast you build up strength.

Today I got some new neat water workout equipment, too. Zoomers are neat swim fins that are short and not as hard to work with as the bigger ones.

http://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/1267.htm

Also got some Speedo arm trainers but I just googled and they have been discontinued... probably why I got them half price! But I love them. Anyway, you can look around at swim shops, etc. and find water equipment that is not all that expensive.

My favorite is water dancing, which I made up myself and have never seen anyone else do. Just dance... in the water. Jump up and lift your arms, twirl around, whatever... to music if it is available. I just think it in my head, or sing if there is no one else around. But I plan to buy an underwater MP3 player.

Swimming and water workouts are FUN and VERY effective!

yeah, she's wrong... when I was on the swim team in HS I got down to my lowest, like 130-ish tops, and I would cram myself with Taco Bell after meets, swimming is a great way to get the heart rate up, my water aerobics instructor always emphasizes that to us, plus it works as both cardio and strength training because of the resistance of the water

And my scale has been "stuck" for ages... I swim and do hard water workouts with weights, so it is not just "swimming" but workouts in the pool. Even though my scale was not moving, I am wearing a smaller size pants... and the waistband is about 3" smaller on the smaller size pants. And my friend just told me I look a LOT smaller than I did when she saw me in October, even though I have lost only 3-4 pounds.

Actually I remember watching a documentary about the Boston Marathon (i think) and the woman who won had a major injury and her training was done on an underwater treadmill lol. So yes I'd say get in the pool and laugh off the nonsense.

For sure! There are always going to be the naysayers... forget about them and go do your workouts!! I am living proof that it works! :)

I've started swimming 3 x a week at the Canada Games Pool here in town. They have half of the 51 meter pool set aside for laps (so about 25.5 meter lengths) and I strive to do as many as possible in 30-45 minutes. I don't count, as I found that by saying "well I'll just do 10" makes me go slower.

I've heard the mixed reviews on swimming, too. Some say that because of my weight, and how inefficient my body is at swimming, I'm not actually working anything enough to help with weight loss or toning. Others say that BECAUSE my body is inefficient (i.e. uses more energy than a skilled swimmer would), you get a better exercise.

Frankly, I'm of the opinion that anything that gets your heart rate elevated for a sustained period of time (30 min minimum) is a good thing. I can't really walk/jog enough to make enough of an impact on burned calories since I work at home and do schooling at home, as well as do a lot of housework, etc. Swimming seems to burn (from every calorie burner calculator I've tried) a heck of a lot of calories in a relatively short period of time AND I don't feel a lot of aches/pains while doing it, like I did when I was going to the gym where I used to work.

Keep at it!

I wish we could all get together and swim! Misti - thanks for all those tips - I should look into some equipment!

I was a competitive swimmer most my life and I can tell you that swimming is a complete body workout, even when you are just walking around (I say just because lap swimming is definitely more of a calorie burner than water walking) you burn calories due to resistance. I use to swim 8 hours a week and weighed 130 (in high school) and had little fat on my body, I looked amazing! Keep it up in the water, it is so worth it!

AND there are a lot of exercises you can do in the pool. I find lap swimming incredibly boring, so I invent all kinds of swimming strokes myself... such as lying on my back and swimming forward, swimming standing up (in deep water), etc. Also I love water dancing... just doing all my dance moves and also jumping up and going under. Water weights, kickboard, noodle, wearing "zoomers" (short fins)... the list of workouts you can do is endless. You are getting all the exercise you would by working out "on land" plus the huge extra benefit of the water resistance.

I think you get out what you put in when it comes to swimming. There's two regulars I see at my gym everytime I go to the pool; a man who's lost almost 200lbs. doing nothing but aqua aerobics (he's kinda like the unofficial mascot 'cause he's done so well the past two years) and a younger girl who goes almost every night to the aqua classes but is still hovering at 300lbs. because she'd rather socialize then put in an actual workout. It's really easy to either push yourself in the pool or let the water move you. I've lost several pounds with the aqua classes, but I make sure I push myself everytime I'm in that pool. The pool offers great resistance training and I've read that aqua zumba can actually be better than regular zumba because of the resistance the water provides. But again, if you're letting the water move you, you won't really lose anything. As far as what your instructor said.... I think the word instructor is used soooo loosely in today's gyms. Most instructing positions at gyms don't require any training or certification. I've seen my share of out of shape and overweight instructors, so I take what they say with a grain of salt. If you're pushing yourself in the pool and putting in real effort, I guarantee you'll see results.

I don't know how they could downgrade any exercise. I think swimming is a great total body workout and it's especially great for beginners as it's easier on the joints and makes the movements feel easier at the time, yet you'll definitely feel the burn the following day!
I would disregard what they said, you are doing an amazing job working out and do not let them discourage you in any way! Swimming is an excellent form of exercise! Keep up the great work!

Chickadee, your original post INFURIATES me! How DARE that stupid woman demotivate you! I personally feel that the spirit of being an aerobics instructor should be to get everybody fit and happy, this lady is spiteful and idiotic and put you down when you were feeling proud of yourself. She is not a doctor anyway, don't listen to what she says. I had a doctor tell me that swimming was excellent exercise (I have a bad hip due to muscle inflammation). Your starting weight and muscle composition doesn't have much to do with whether swimming (or any other exercise) is good for you. If you don't have much muscle then perhaps it is true that you won't burn quite as many calories after your workout but the point is, you are developing muscle and swimming is great cardiovascular exercise which will burn plenty of calories in itself. Please keep swimming and WELL DONE for making an effort to get fit, it isn't easy to be motivated and I am sure everyone who reads your post will think you are fantastic for making an effort. We all know how difficult it is. I want to be an aerobics instructor one day when I have lost weight and there is no way I will ever be like that woman, she is crazy!