Is swimming a good method to lose weight?

 The benefits of swimming have long been proven and spread. However, is it possible to use this sports discipline if we are looking for a method to lose weight? Next, we tell you the relationship between weight loss, fat burning, and swimming.

When the kilos accumulate, and many times also for aesthetic reasons, people often look for exercises that help them in their mission to beat the scale. What can a sport like swimming offer us if we have this purpose?

Swimming as a method to lose weight

For various reasons, this sport appears like an excellent alternative when it comes to losing weight. In the following enumeration, we will deal with some of these fundamentals:

Promotes the burning of calories

When swimming, the individual performs movements and exerts a constant force involving a large number of muscle groups; this includes both the main ones of the whole body, such as the legs, abdomen, and back, as well as other minor ones.

As a consequence, caloric expenditure increases, and metabolism speeds up. This means that, for energy, the body uses fat reserves and, therefore, helps us lose weight.

It is aerobic work

Since it increases the heart rate, swimming is considered one of the most important aerobic exercises. In this sense, it demands an almost permanent effort on the part of the athlete to stay afloat and advance in the water with lifeguard certification.

It also has a direct influence on the reduction of cholesterol and glucose. Therefore, we can see that almost the entire body benefits from doing this activity, including our mind.

This point is closely linked to the previous one. Due to the extensive energy consumption that swimming demands, the body resorts to other sources of energy in addition to the traditional ones. In this way, fats are eliminated to respond to the physical efforts to which we submit them.

Work the abdomen and legs

These are two parts of the body where fat tends to accumulate and, unfortunately for many, where it is difficult to eliminate. Swimming requires body stability and the support of the legs through the beat (which is sometimes essential), so these muscle groups are put to work.

Thus, these localized exercises, which in turn are combined with the effort of the upper extremities, help the individual to burn fat and tone these parts of the body.

However, it is worth clarifying that swimming is not the ideal exercise to gain muscle mass. The reason is that, by offering limited resistance, water is not a demanding enough stimulus to cause the muscle fibers that make the muscle grow to rupture. If this is the goal after losing weight, it is advisable to also do gym exercises.

It can be combined with other exercises as a method to lose weight

To enhance the results of swimming, it is also possible to perform other physical exercises. As we said before, it is extremely positive to do muscle strength training that complements the hours in the pool, which provides the body with resistance, agility, and flexibility.

However, if we seek a greater variety of aerobic work, we can perfectly walk, run, bike, or exercise on the elliptical on the days we do not swim. Of course: it regulates the duration of the sessions and the demands so as not to fall into the risks of overtraining.

Other benefits of swimming as a sport

In addition to being a good method to lose weight, swimming has other virtues. One of the main ones is that, unlike other aerobic work such as running, walking, or dancing, there is no impact that affects the joints. This is a very important detail for overweight people.

Likewise, when performed in a different environment, it helps the person to disconnect from their worries and generates greater motivation. In the long run, these positive feelings translate into greater consistency and better results.

Finally, we cannot forget that, as recommended by the World Health Organization, this training program must be complemented with a proper diet. For example, carbohydrates as an energy source are a good measure before intense sessions.

In short, there is no doubt that it is a very good exercise to shape the body and relax the mind. As a method to lose weight it is also very effective, it is a sport with all the letters!