How to Swim for Fitness & Weight Loss

Swimming is one of the best ways to lose calories and stay in shape as it works every muscle group in your body. It also is easy on your joints so if you have muscle or bone problems it proves to be extremely low impact, especially compared to running or biking. Although just about any activity in the pool helps you lose weight there are a few tips and tricks to maximize your weight loss.

Instructions

    • 1

      Stretch out before entering the pool or body of water. As you work every muscle group you want to stretch out every muscle group. Standing straight and touching your toes and holding one arm's elbow behind your head while it reaches down your spine are two great stretches for the both the upper and lower body.

    • 2

      Swim from one side of the pool to the other, starting off slowly with the stroke of your choice. Backstroke and sidestroke are two methods that allow you to float along with your swim.

    • 3

      Increase the movements and speed of your swim to burn more calories. The butterfly and freestyle burn the most calories, as you are moving the most muscles.

    • 4

      Move from a fast stroke to a slow stroke, without taking a break. This keeps your body moving so you continue to burn calories, but it also changes your heart rate, raising it quickly and lowering it quickly. This is more effective at burning calories than staying at a steady pace. You may want to swim two laps of high intensity, then two laps of a low intensity backstroke or side stroke.

    • 5

      Repeat the high intensity to low intensity for 20 to 30 minutes (or more if you desire).