Swimming and Abs

Z

zod

0
Hello all,

As you may already know I blew my hamstring. So my Cardio is suffering which results in my abs suffering as well.

I was wondering how swimming was for your abs, though I wont be able to put my legs into it while my hamstring heals at least I will be able to have a half decent work out.

How is swimming for an alternative to decreasing those abs? Thoughts?

Thanks all
 
As far as working the abs, you probably won't hit them much while swimming without legs. But, swimming is an excellent way to burn calories which will help in a roundabout way.
 
Swimming doesn't work your abs at all. I swim every morning for 45 minutes and have for 2 years now. You still have to do your regular ab routine (hopefully you can do that w/ your injury).
 
Spock,

*constructive criticism follows*

Swimming does work your abs. It won't pinpoint abs, but pretty much any resistance exercise involving your legs will work your abs in some way. As a matter-of-fact, strong abs are essential for efficient torso rotation and will improve your swimming abilities.

Also, if you are swimming every day 45 minutes per day and have done that for 2 years, you are overtraining BIGTIME. I think you may find some serious improvements if you take at least one day off per week. And, Try taking an entire week off every four months or so. This will help you leap past plateaus as well.

my $.02 (FWIW),
Rip
 
rip said:
Spock,

*constructive criticism follows*

Swimming does work your abs. It won't pinpoint abs, but pretty much any resistance exercise involving your legs will work your abs in some way. As a matter-of-fact, strong abs are essential for efficient torso rotation and will improve your swimming abilities.

Also, if you are swimming every day 45 minutes per day and have done that for 2 years, you are overtraining BIGTIME. I think you may find some serious improvements if you take at least one day off per week. And, Try taking an entire week off every four months or so. This will help you leap past plateaus as well.

my $.02 (FWIW),
Rip
Click to expand...
I do very light swimming - just slow laps. I do about 3/4 mile in 45 minutes - not much at all. I swim in the morning because it relaxes me and helps me start the day off in a good mood. I don't swim to lose fat or weight. Anyways, I don't consider it overtraining because it's such light intensity.
Anyways, yes, everything you do when you move works your abs. What I meant was that it doesn't replace crunches or any other ab exercise. Yes, strong abs are important for swimming, because it probably means that you have a strong back, too - which is very important for swimming.
 
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