Swimming is the best form of cardio and everyone needs to add it to their routine. That being said, you definitely need to add weightlifting to your routine if you want to build muscle mass.
1. Full body workout.
First thing first, swimming engages almost every major muscle group but puts an emphasis on the shoulders, lats, and core. This gives the iconic “triangle body” a lot of professional swimmers have.
Ex:
Don’t get me wrong, a lot of successful swimmers naturally have wider shoulders and wider frames due to genetics but swimming improves their already god-like proportions and builds muscle. For people with narrower frames, such as myself, consistent training still creates the V-taper look giving an illusion of a wide frame and overall aesthetic physique.
2. Lower Injury risk.
Unlike most sports, swimming doesn’t put stress on the joints. This allows you to train more longer and frequently causing you to be more consistent. Consistency is ultimately what leads to weight/fat loss and discipline. The most common forms of injury swimmers get are muscle strains which are very minuscule in comparison to broken bones.
3. Burns a lot of calories.
Moving in water is naturally harder due to water resistance. So even “small” activities like treading water is considered light training based off the calories it burns. Also since you’re in the water, your body burns extra calories trying to regulate temperature as water pulls heat away from your body faster than air.
4. Tanning.
Swimming outside is also an easy way to get a natural tan over time, and that can make a big difference in how you look. A slight tan can make your skin look smoother and more even, and it helps your muscles stand out more. Areas like your shoulders, arms, and abs look more defined, so your physique comes across as more lean and aesthetic even without changing much else.
5. Enjoyable.
Swimming is fun due to a mix of mental, physical, and social reasons. Swimming triggers the release of endorphins and dopamine, which boost your mood and makes the activity rewarding. It’s quiet underwater, and the weightless feeling gives you a chance to clear your mind and fully relax. Secondly the water provides cushion to your body so you’ll typically end your swim feeling less worn down but rejuvenated. Lastly, there’s a strong community aspect too. Whether it’s swim teams, lap swimmers at the pool, or just going with friends, being around others with the same routine makes it more fun and easier to stay consistent.
1. Full body workout.
First thing first, swimming engages almost every major muscle group but puts an emphasis on the shoulders, lats, and core. This gives the iconic “triangle body” a lot of professional swimmers have.
Ex:
Don’t get me wrong, a lot of successful swimmers naturally have wider shoulders and wider frames due to genetics but swimming improves their already god-like proportions and builds muscle. For people with narrower frames, such as myself, consistent training still creates the V-taper look giving an illusion of a wide frame and overall aesthetic physique.
2. Lower Injury risk.
Unlike most sports, swimming doesn’t put stress on the joints. This allows you to train more longer and frequently causing you to be more consistent. Consistency is ultimately what leads to weight/fat loss and discipline. The most common forms of injury swimmers get are muscle strains which are very minuscule in comparison to broken bones.
3. Burns a lot of calories.
Moving in water is naturally harder due to water resistance. So even “small” activities like treading water is considered light training based off the calories it burns. Also since you’re in the water, your body burns extra calories trying to regulate temperature as water pulls heat away from your body faster than air.
4. Tanning.
Swimming outside is also an easy way to get a natural tan over time, and that can make a big difference in how you look. A slight tan can make your skin look smoother and more even, and it helps your muscles stand out more. Areas like your shoulders, arms, and abs look more defined, so your physique comes across as more lean and aesthetic even without changing much else.
5. Enjoyable.
Swimming is fun due to a mix of mental, physical, and social reasons. Swimming triggers the release of endorphins and dopamine, which boost your mood and makes the activity rewarding. It’s quiet underwater, and the weightless feeling gives you a chance to clear your mind and fully relax. Secondly the water provides cushion to your body so you’ll typically end your swim feeling less worn down but rejuvenated. Lastly, there’s a strong community aspect too. Whether it’s swim teams, lap swimmers at the pool, or just going with friends, being around others with the same routine makes it more fun and easier to stay consistent.
