Swimming as Cardio

In terms of exercise, is it better to swim a shorter amount faster and without breaks (say 30 lengths) or do 50 lengths with a few 30 second breaks and probably overall at a slower pace? My heart rate goes down quite fast when I stop and I remember reading that to do a good cardio workout you need to keep your heartbeat elevated for a sustained period of time. Also, is time spent swimming roughly as good as running in terms of minute per minute exercise? It doesn't seem to tire me as much whilst I am doing it as running does, but by the end I feel as though I've been for a run in terms of being knackered. Any hints, tips or answers welcome!

Reply 1

User69701

For cardio keep ot high for longer. Swimming is better than running, ot also tones all your muscles and burns more cals.

Reply 2

*titanium*

it depends on what you are tryng to achive. To burn most calories, you could take small breaks and cary on for longer, but to increase fitness, dont take breaks.

Reply 3

Tyler Durden

JayB124

For cardio keep ot high for longer. Swimming is better than running, ot also tones all your muscles and burns more cals.

OT?

Reply 4

JamieInPompey

that was obviously meant to say 'it'

Reply 5

Tyler Durden

JamieInPompey

that was obviously meant to say 'it'

Yeah I suppose, I thought because he used it twice it might have some deeper significance! :p:

Reply 6

fez

good question, i do 40 breast, 40 crawl, 20breast, 20 crawl as fast as can go.
i generally stagger out of the pool after that tho.

should i try and go further without stopping? or do less and do them all as fast as i can go?
want to be more toned and just fitter bod really.

1 thing i do no, is its better for your joints to swim and not run, as you dont have the compression with your weight landing on your knees etc..

Reply 7

Tw!stEd

High Intensive Interval Training gets the best calorie burning results which is would be like fez's routine....
So do a few like sprinting, then slow it down for a few leangth, then a few sprinting....

Reply 8

*titanium*

Tw!stEd

I have found it is also amazing for your stamina, but it has to be done correctly, key word high intensity! You do a few minutes and 90% of your peak and then go at a lighter pace for a few min, then repeat, for an hour.

Reply 9

Tyler Durden

So, in simple terms, 2 lengths quick as poss then 1 length cool down?

Reply 10

*titanium*

englishstudent

So, in simple terms, 2 lengths quick as poss then 1 length cool down?

Not as fast as possible because oyu will get tired far to quickly, but do almost your fastest, you can try 1 legnth cool down but you may find it too short, if this is the case then do 2 legnths.