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Group: General Fitness & Exercise

swimming and abs

ailinh Posts: 16 Joined: 2006/08/04	2006/08/08, 05:34 PM Hi everyone, I am going to add swimming to my fitness schedule. Is swimming very effective to get a nice lean ab? Please give me your input.
ixiaznretard Posts: 146 Joined: 2006/07/28	2006/08/08, 06:39 PM i swim roughly 25-50 laps a day im not sure:big_smile:
ailinh Posts: 16 Joined: 2006/08/04	2006/08/08, 09:00 PM do you swim everyday? what does your ab look like?
ixiaznretard Posts: 146 Joined: 2006/07/28	2006/08/08, 09:04 PM decent ab not really too ripped but u can see it
ailinh Posts: 16 Joined: 2006/08/04	2006/08/08, 11:56 PM you do anything else besides swimming?
flyonthewall Posts: 1,823 Joined: 2005/01/18	2006/08/09, 09:09 AM Swimming, like any cardio workout, will burn calories and therefore help you get lean--if you keep your diet in order. It is also very effective at strengthening your core, especially if you do drills or HIIT type training. However, it will not likely give you a six pack. That will take good diet and direct ab work with resistance. Swimming lengths at a constant speed using the same swimming stroke will mostly build endurance. -------------- Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.
ailinh Posts: 16 Joined: 2006/08/04	2006/08/09, 05:07 PM thanks flyonthewall. what is HIIT? can you explain how I can do drills or HIIT? thnks in advance. I am not looking for 6-pack, just want to get rid of a little bit of stubborn tummy fat.
	2006/08/09, 05:34 PM This is a great community with a lot of people who want to help, but you have to put in some effort of your own. Search HIIT, read and learn !!!!
ailinh Posts: 16 Joined: 2006/08/04	2006/08/09, 06:47 PM ok now i know what HIIT is, can someone fill me in how I can do HIIT in the water?
	2006/08/09, 07:22 PM The same way you would do it out of the water. Just apply the principles.
ixiaznretard Posts: 146 Joined: 2006/07/28	2006/08/09, 11:47 PM lol i just do 5 laps of decent pace and then 5 laps like full speed or as fast as i can then i repeat
KC_72 Posts: 3,249 Joined: 2006/05/19	2006/08/10, 09:31 AM or you could try yoga!!!
flyonthewall Posts: 1,823 Joined: 2005/01/18	2006/08/10, 10:59 AM ailinh, HIIT in the water is pretty much the same as on land. An easy method would be to start with a 5 min warmup swim then do 50m(2laps) or 100m(4laps) at a very fast pace and then to the same at a regular pace. Do this cycle several times. You'll probably need to take a bit of a break between each cycle, since it is pretty exhausting. Follow the workout with an easy swim to cooldown. There are many workouts on the internet, try googling Masters swimming or swim workouts.
ixiaznretard Posts: 146 Joined: 2006/07/28	2006/08/10, 11:12 AM it is exhausting:)
starrbursts Posts: 12 Joined: 2006/07/06	2006/08/14, 09:58 AM Is swimming better for you than running and is there better benefits from swimming?
KC_72 Posts: 3,249 Joined: 2006/05/19	2006/08/14, 10:03 AM Swimming is easier in the joints than running...very low impact with a great all over workout.If you have bad knees or get bad shin splints,swimming is a better way to go.
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2006/08/14, 10:04 AM Swimming laps most probably uses more overall muscle groups than running(arms, upper body, legs) in a constant motion. The more muscle groups you involve in a movement, the more calories you will burn. Add in natural resistance from the water and it probably gets better. -------------- Maximus from Gladiator....Strength and Honor!
garthp100 Posts: 1 Joined: 2008/09/09	2008/09/09, 07:48 AM Hi all. I have just started a new fitness plan and have a couple of questions. Firstly I was aiming to have a plan based on alternating swimming and the gym. Will this increase general fitness and build muscle. Also normally two days after a swim I have noticed some pain in my rear legs. Is this my hamstrings or a lack of water?