Is swimming good for weight loss and toning?

12

I’m thinking of taking up swimming again. I used to be a very keen swimmer when I was younger, but then I sort of gave it up as the years past. Lately I’ve put on a bit of weight and feel frumpy and knackered all the time. I’m going to make the most of the swimming pool at my local gym starting week. My question is, would swimming be any good for losing weight and toning parts of the body? Also, if anyone could give any advice into starting a bit of weight training, the things I should be aiming for, where to start etc. that would be GREAT.

Thank you all :smile:

Reply 1

squigaletta

Yes

Reply 2

Eblis_O'_Shaughnessy

5

Swimming is fantastic for a full body workout and for fat burning.

As for weights, a full body workout 3 times a week is magnificent for most people.

Workout A:

Squats x 4
Barbell bench press x 4
Barbell military press x 4
Weighted pullups x 4

Workout B:

Deadlifts x 4
Dumbbell bench press x 4
Dumbbell shoulder press x 4
Bent over dumbbell rows x 4
Over 2 weeks (each workout separated by at least a day) do A B A B A B.

As for the amount of reps per set I'll leave that up to you, but I would recommend 2-6, considering you probably don't want to build much muscle. It's difficult for women to build muscle, but some do have the genetic potential to build small amounts without hormonal supplementation, and if you don't want to build any then I'd stay at 6 reps per set or under.

EDIT: Of course, all this is largely unhelpful unless your diet is in line.

Reply 3

Hayley_2k4

OP

12

Eblis_O'_Shaughnessy

Swimming is fantastic for a full body workout and for fat burning.

As for weights, a full body workout 3 times a week is magnificent for most people.

Workout A:

Squats x 4
Barbell bench press x 4
Barbell military press x 4
Weighted pullups x 4

Workout B:

Deadlifts x 4
Dumbbell bench press x 4
Dumbbell shoulder press x 4
Bent over dumbbell rows x 4
Over 2 weeks (each workout separated by at least a day) do A B A B A B.

As for the amount of reps per set I'll leave that up to you, but I would recommend 2-6, considering you probably don't want to build much muscle. It's difficult for women to build muscle, but some do have the genetic potential to build small amounts without hormonal supplementation, and if you don't want to build any then I'd stay at 6 reps per set or under.

EDIT: Of course, all this is largely unhelpful unless your diet is in line.

Thank you so much! :smile:

Reply 4

Peacekeeping55

I'd advise 10-12 reps with a really comfortable weight. Eblis.... while everything your saying is true and definately well informed... you obviously lift.. Giving her compounds at high weight... is really going to promote building mass. Don't turn this girl into a rugby player :P

Tone... is all about lowering your body fat. Just get into a routine, swim and enjoy working with weights and see what suits you. Diet is 80 percent of everything where this kind of thing is concerned.

If you make these positive changes, your bound to see results and feel better in no time. Don't overkill it at first. Enjoy it.

Reply 5

Misogynist

18

No it's very bad for weight loss and toning.

Reply 6

Eblis_O'_Shaughnessy

5

Peacekeeping55

I'd advise 10-12 reps with a really comfortable weight. Eblis.... while everything your saying is true and definately well informed... you obviously lift.. Giving her compounds at high weight... is really going to promote building mass. Don't turn this girl into a rugby player :P

Anything under 6 reps is only going to elicit myrofibril hypertrophy and CNS development, not sarcoplasmic hypertrophy. Your advice to do 10-12 reps per set is going to elicit sarcoplasmic hypertophy, i.e. size growth. 10-12 reps per set is what a typical bodybuilder will do because it results in most growth. TERRIBLE advice if she's not looking to bulk up.

Peacekeeping55

Tone... is all about lowering your body fat. Just get into a routine, swim and enjoy working with weights and see what suits you. Diet is 80 percent of everything where this kind of thing is concerned.

I'd say nearer to 90%.

Is swimming good for weight loss and toning?

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