Thread: How good is swimming and playing in the pool?

I want to tone my body, but I don't like running or walking on the treadmill or outdoors. I enjoy playing in the swimming pool. I play in a 11ft pool where I am constantly moving my body to stay afloat. I also do 2-3 laps. I am learning how to dive. My heart rate goes up and I feel tired at the end. I have a good weight and I eat healthy.
Would doing this help me get toned? Do I need to do weights?

Thank you.

if you want to lose weight, gain endurance, gain a bit of strength, and tighten your muscles, there is (overall and for the last one) no equal to swimming.

It works nearly every muscle in your body very well, as well as your respiratory system and has a cardio aspect. It can be very slow and relaxing or fast and rigorous.

If you want the things i said, swimming is definitely the way to go (especially if you enjoy it).

If you just want to bulk up, you should do weights instead.

You might also want to supplement swimming with abs work (crunches/situps/bicycles/leg lifts) and weights, if you want muscles.

What you're doing is not swimming, it's playing and isn't doing you any wonders, better than nothing, but ...