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Swimming

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- Is It for You?
- Tips
- Our Fitness Expert Says
- iVillagers Say

Reviewed By:
Liz Neporent, MA

Is Swimming for You?

This chart can help you see how swimming fits your goals and lifestyle concerns.

Body Parts Worked Arms, heart, lungs
Calories Burned While it varies by stroke, a 150-pound person swimming freestyle burns about 545 calories per hour, a 200-pound person burns 725
Gear A swimsuit and goggles. For skill drills you may want to have a kick board, swim fins, and hand paddles.
Location A pool or some other body of water
Time 20-60 minutes, 3-5 days a week
Schedule/Flexibility Depends on finding a body of water and the temperature being warm enough


Swimming Tips

  • Supplement your swim program with 2-3 weekly weight training sessions to ensure that you stimulate bone growth. Do some land based cardio activity too.

  • If you haven't dipped a toe into a pool since summer camp, take a lesson or two. Breathing rhythm and technique are the keys to flying through the water like a dolphin.

  • A good pair of goggles will let you see where you’re swimming without the annoying stinging eyes later.

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Review Date: 11-08-2007

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