Does anyone swim laps as their main cardio?

[bbkingpin]

I have an arthritic hip and knee and I'm only 31. After I run my joints are especially sore and achy. I cannot afford to put so much stress on the joints in my leg anymore. I was thinking about changing to swimming laps and wondered if anyone else does the same for their cardio. Any useful input is appreciated.

 

[ghee]

There's a thread started by circusgirl on swimming for cardio further down the page. It doesn't have any info on sore joints though, if you were looking for info on that.

 

[louden_swain]

Swimming is an awesome form of exercise, as it wil help increase recovery and remove lactic acid out of the muscle.

I say capitalize on it, as long as you have access to a pool.

 

[slimm]

Besides just swimming laps, get in the lap pool and run back and forth for laps. That is a workout. I would choose the running in the pool over the swimming, after doing both. If it works for race horses, it should work for us.

HTH

 

[Peckz]

I love swimming. Its great for cardio work and it stretches the muscles. Swimming is also the best cardio exercise for people with bad joints. Arthritis patients are frequently told to swim in heated pools for exercise.

Personally i prefer to swim short distances with high speed.