
However, correctly defined, physical activity is all movement that creates energy expenditure, whereas exercise is planned, structured physical activity ( 1). Physical activity and exercise are often used interchangeably. To achieve weight loss, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) ( 1), American Academy of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) ( 2), and National Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics ( 3) all recommend exercise as an integral part of any weight loss program. The two parts of the equation for weight maintenance are energy intake (eating and drinking) versus energy output (nonexercise thermogenesis + exercise).
Most individuals spend much of their lives in the same weight range without daily focus on caloric intake and output. It helps to increase your flexibility, suppleness and stretches out the body to improve posture.Energy balance is a process through which the body attempts to establish homeostasis.It helps with upper body strength, toning your chest, stomach, arms (particularly your triceps) and your back muscles.It’s most effective all round stroke for toning and building muscles.Average calorie burn: around 450 calories for 30 minutes swimming.It’s the hardest to learn, and definitely not for beginners, but Butterfly is at the top of the calorie burn list. Out of all the four strokes freestyle is said to have the greatest impact on toning back muscles.
Swimming freestyle tones your stomach, buttocks and shoulders. Average calorie burn: around 300 calories for 30 minutes swimming. Great for office bound workers.įreestyle is the fastest of all the strokes, so as you might expect it is up in second place for calorie burning potential. It’s great for improving the flexibility of your hips. Backstroke works to tone the stomach, legs, arms, shoulders and buttocks. Practising keeping yourself straight in the water can help you to lengthen your spine, helping you look taller and less hunched. Average calorie burn: around 250 calories for 30 minutes swimming. It helps to work and tone the chest muscles.īackstroke is the second lowest calorie burner next to breaststroke. However, it’s one of the best for improving posture. It helps strengthen heart and lungs while toning thighs, upper back, triceps, hamstrings and lower legs. Breaststroke is a much better cardiovascular workout than the other strokes. Average calorie burn: around 200 calories for 30 minutes swimming. In fact, it is the least beneficial stroke for burning calories. Best swimming stroke for weight loss 4th place: Breaststrokeīreaststroke is a bit of a slow burner in terms of calories. So here’s a breakdown of the strokes, and which is the best swimming stroke for weight loss. The benefits it offers in terms of calories burnt depends on the stroke you swim. OK, now that’s out of the way, we know that swimming decreases stress on the body. So, before you consider strokes check out our Eating Better section here. When considering the best swimming stroke for weight loss you need to remember that no amount of exercise minimises the impact of a bad diet.
The best swimming stroke for weight loss