When it comes to burning calories and losing weight, there are countless exercises and activities to choose from. However, two popular options that have gained attention are walking in water and swimming. Both exercises offer low-impact options that are gentle on joints and muscles, making them suitable for people with injuries or medical conditions. But the question remains, which one burns more calories – walking in water or swimming?
Walking in water, also known as aquatic walking, is a low-impact exercise performed in waist-deep water. The resistance of the water provides a full-body workout, engaging multiple muscle groups and burning calories. Swimming, on the other hand, is a full-body exercise that involves moving through the water using various strokes. While both exercises offer benefits, the number of calories burned during each activity varies. So, let’s dive in and explore which exercise burns more calories – walking in water or swimming?
Walking in water and swimming are both low-impact exercises that can burn calories without putting stress on your joints. However, swimming is a more effective calorie-burner because it engages more muscle groups, including your arms, back, and core. Depending on your weight and the intensity of your workout, swimming can burn up to 500 calories per hour, while walking in water can burn around 200-300 calories per hour.
Table of Contents
What Burns More Calories Walking in Water or Swimming?
When it comes to burning calories, both walking in water and swimming are great exercises. But which one burns more calories? Let’s take a closer look at both activities and see which one comes out on top.
The Benefits of Walking in Water
Walking in water, also known as aqua walking, is a low-impact workout that is easy on the joints. This makes it a great exercise for people who have arthritis, are overweight, or have other health conditions that make it difficult to do high-impact exercises.
But just because it’s low-impact doesn’t mean it’s not effective. Walking in water can burn up to 400 calories per hour, depending on your weight and the intensity of your workout. This is because the water provides resistance, which makes your muscles work harder than they would on land.
In addition to burning calories, walking in water can also improve your cardiovascular health, strengthen your muscles, and improve your balance and coordination.
If you’re looking for a fun and effective way to burn calories without putting too much stress on your body, walking in water is definitely worth considering.
The Benefits of Swimming
Swimming is a full-body workout that engages all of your major muscle groups. This makes it a great exercise for building strength and endurance, as well as burning calories.
Swimming can burn up to 600 calories per hour, depending on your weight and the intensity of your workout. This is because you’re using your entire body to move through the water, which requires a lot of energy.
In addition to burning calories, swimming can also improve your cardiovascular health, increase your lung capacity, and reduce your risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
If you’re looking for a challenging and rewarding workout that will help you build strength and endurance while burning calories, swimming is a great choice.
Walking in Water vs. Swimming: Which Burns More Calories?
So which one burns more calories, walking in water or swimming? The answer is: it depends.
Walking in water can burn up to 400 calories per hour, while swimming can burn up to 600 calories per hour. However, the number of calories you burn will depend on a variety of factors, including your weight, the intensity of your workout, and your swimming or walking technique.
If you’re new to exercise or have health conditions that make it difficult to do high-impact exercises, walking in water may be a better option for you. It’s a low-impact workout that is easy on the joints and can still help you burn a significant number of calories.
If you’re looking for a more challenging workout that will help you build strength and endurance while burning calories, swimming may be a better option. It’s a full-body workout that engages all of your major muscle groups and can burn more calories than walking in water.
The Bottom Line
Both walking in water and swimming are great exercises that can help you burn calories, improve your cardiovascular health, and strengthen your muscles. The one you choose will depend on your fitness goals, health conditions, and personal preferences.
If you’re looking for a low-impact workout that is easy on the joints, walking in water is a great option. If you’re looking for a challenging full-body workout that will help you build strength and endurance, swimming is a great choice.
Regardless of which one you choose, make sure to consult with your doctor before starting any new exercise program. And remember, consistency is key when it comes to seeing results, so try to make exercise a regular part of your routine.
Key Takeaways: What Burns More Calories Walking in Water or Swimming?
- Swimming is more effective for burning calories than walking in water.
- Swimming can burn up to 500-700 calories per hour, while walking in water burns around 200-400 calories per hour.
- The resistance of water makes swimming a more intense workout than walking in water, resulting in more calories burned.
- Swimming also provides a full-body workout, engaging multiple muscle groups, while walking in water primarily targets the lower body.
- However, both swimming and walking in water are low-impact exercises, making them ideal for individuals with joint issues or injuries.
- Ultimately, the best workout for you depends on your personal preferences and fitness goals.
In conclusion, while both swimming and walking in water can provide a great workout, swimming burns more calories and engages more muscle groups, making it a more effective exercise for weight loss and overall fitness. However, the most important thing is to find an exercise that you enjoy and can stick with long-term to achieve your fitness goals.
BURN 2x as many calories in water then on land
There’s no denying that both walking in water and swimming are fantastic forms of exercise. They’re low impact activities that can help you burn calories, build muscle, and improve your cardiovascular health. But when it comes to determining which one burns more calories, the answer is not as straightforward as you might think.
While swimming is often thought of as a more intense workout, the resistance provided by water can actually make walking in water just as effective in terms of calorie burn. The key is to maintain a consistent pace and keep your movements controlled. Ultimately, the best exercise for you is the one that you enjoy and can stick with long-term. Whether you prefer to swim laps or take a leisurely stroll through the shallow end of the pool, the important thing is to keep moving and make physical activity a part of your daily routine.