Swimming Vs Running: What Burns The Most Calories?

Swimming and running are both popular forms of exercise that offer numerous health benefits, including burning calories and improving cardiovascular fitness. However, the question of which one burns the most calories often arises. In this article, we'll explore the calorie-burning potential of swimming and running, and how they compare.

Swimming and Running Calories Burned

The number of calories you burn during exercise depends on several factors, such as your weight, gender, age, and the intensity and duration of the activity. According to the American Council on Exercise, a person who weighs 125 pounds can burn approximately 300 calories in 30 minutes of moderate-intensity swimming and 240 calories in 30 minutes of moderate-intensity running. If the same person increases the intensity of the activity, they can burn up to 400 calories in 30 minutes of vigorous-intensity swimming and 375 calories in 30 minutes of vigorous-intensity running.

Swimming vs Running for Calorie Burn

While swimming and running can both burn a significant amount of calories, the number of calories burned can vary based on the intensity and duration of the activity, as well as individual factors. However, swimming has been found to burn more calories per minute than running, mainly due to the resistance of water. Water is denser than air, which means your body has to work harder to move through it, resulting in increased calorie burn.

Another factor that may impact the calorie burn is the type of swimming stroke you use. The butterfly stroke, for example, can burn up to 750 calories per hour for a person who weighs 160 pounds, while the breaststroke can burn approximately 590 calories per hour. The freestyle stroke can burn approximately 472 calories per hour.

Running vs Swimming for Weight Loss

Both running and swimming can aid in weight loss when combined with a healthy diet. However, running may be more effective for weight loss due to the higher intensity and impact it has on the body. Running is a weight-bearing exercise, which means it puts stress on the bones and muscles, leading to an increase in muscle mass and a higher metabolic rate. This can lead to increased calorie burn even after the workout is over.

Swimming, on the other hand, is a low-impact exercise that is gentle on the joints, making it an ideal exercise for people with injuries or conditions that prevent them from doing high-impact exercise. However, it may not be as effective for weight loss as running due to the lower intensity and resistance.

Conclusion

Both swimming and running can be effective forms of exercise for burning calories and improving overall fitness. The number of calories burned can vary based on factors such as intensity, duration, and individual factors. While swimming may burn more calories per minute due to the resistance of water, running may be more effective for weight loss due to the higher intensity and impact it has on the body. Ultimately, the best exercise for you is one that you enjoy and can stick to in the long run.