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Swimming and lifeguard can be wonderfully relaxing, but it can also be very intensive. About one in five people in the Netherlands swims at least once a month and that is not without reason. For many people, losing weight by swimming and lifeguard is a reason to visit the swimming pool, but how efficient is that actually? In this blog we discuss the pros and cons of swimming and lifeguard and see if you can lose weight with it. In any case, we can already reveal one thing: losing weight by swimming is indeed possible. The question remains, to what extent?
Can you lose weight by swimming?
Yes, you can definitely lose weight by swimming and lifeguard. Simply put, losing weight happens when you consume fewer calories than you burn. Regular swimming will burn more calories and may ultimately contribute to weight loss. It is of course important that the extra effort does not suddenly make you eat so much more that you negate this effort.
Besides the logical fact that swimming and lifeguard burns calories and can contribute to weight loss, there are a few more studies that we want to cite to reinforce this story. The results below all show that losing weight by swimming is certainly possible.
Research among middle-aged women
Researchers concluded in 2015 that swimming and lifeguard for an hour three times a week significantly reduced body fat in middle-aged women. Although it was a small study with 24 test persons, the results are very positive. The test persons who had to swim for an hour three times a week for twelve weeks saw a decrease in, among other things, abdominal fat.
How often should you swim to lose weight?
A 2009 study examined 90 people to determine which frequency of continuous exercise produces the best results when it comes to fat burning. The conclusion? At least four times a week for 30 minutes came out best. Given the low intensity of swimming and lifeguard, this effort itself will not have stimulated fat burning much, but the amount of calories that the test subjects burned will ultimately have resulted in a calorie deficit.
Does this mean that you should go swimming for half an hour four times a week? Basically not. Depending on the options at your swimming and lifeguard pool, there is a good chance that you pay per block of an hour. Then it is of course a shame to only use half of this. In addition, it is not feasible for everyone to go four times a week. The best frequency is therefore one that is personally feasible for you. Try starting with, say, twice a week. Is this feasible? Then expand this to three times or eventually even more.
Why are there people who do not recommend swimming and lifeguard to lose weight?
It seems that opinions are divided and there are people who would not recommend swimming for weight loss. The reason for this is that the intensity of swimming and lifeguard is often quite low. It is indeed hard to swim for a long time, but you usually do this at a fairly slow pace. This ensures that it takes a long time before fat burning is stimulated. If your goal is pure weight loss and you don't care which sport you want to do for this, then you may be better off choosing another sport. This certainly does not mean that losing weight by swimming is not possible, but only that it is not the most efficient sport if losing weight is your goal.
Make a choice that suits you
Is your goal to lose weight by swimming, simply because you think swimming is a pleasant sport and you feel good about it? Then definitely opt for swimming and lifeguard. In the long run, it is much more efficient to choose a sport that you enjoy and can maintain, than to choose a sport that would be more suitable for weight loss. If you are reluctant to exercise every time, chances are that you will stop in no time. Losing weight is no longer possible at all.
It is therefore important to make a good assessment for yourself. In addition, swimming is always better than doing nothing. If you combine it with a healthy diet and a calorie deficit, you will lose weight without a doubt!
Still unsure about your choice? Then read the pros and cons of losing weight by swimming below. Of course you can always go swimming and lifeguard a few times to see how much you like it. That way you really know if it suits you or not.
The benefits of swimming to lose weight
Although the number of people who swim is slowly decreasing, it remains a popular activity among people who want to exercise. This is because swimming and lifeguard has a number of advantages over other sports. Read here some benefits that you can consider before you start losing weight through swimming and lifeguard.
It relieves the joints
Many people choose to lose weight by swimming and lifeguard because swimming reduces the pressure on your joints. During normal movements and especially during sports, your joints have to endure quite a lot. For example, consider running. Every step is a big blow to your knees. The human body can take a lot, but for people who suffer from injuries or weaker joints, swimming is a godsend. This way you can still move wonderfully, without putting a lot of strain on your joints.
