Should You Hop in the Pool or on the Treadmill?

Everyone knows that regular exercise is important. However, it can often be difficult to determine what type of exercise you should be doing.

Two popular types of exercise are swimming and walking or running on the treadmill. While both types of exercise are great for improving cardiovascular health, you may be wondering which one is the best? Honestly, that really depends on what you’re looking for in a workout!  

Calories

One of the first things people often ask when comparing exercises is how many calories each one burns.

For most people, running or jogging on a treadmill will burn more calories than going for a swim. 

However, there are a few things to consider.

First of all, how many calories you burn is based on both the intensity of your workout and your weight. The more you weigh, the more calories you will burn. With that said, though, people who are overweight may have a hard time sustaining a rapid pace on a treadmill.  So, if you are not able to go for a long, intensive run, you might ultimately last longer and burn more calories if you choose swimming.

While treadmill time may burn more calories than pool time, it’s really all about finding what’s best for you. Or, even better yet, you could go for a short run on the treadmill and then cool off with a swim in the pool to get the best of both worlds!

Impact

While running or walking on the treadmill is enjoyable for some, it’s downright painful for others. If you have joint problems, are recovering from an injury, or are carrying a lot of extra weight, it’s probably best to skip treadmill workouts, at least temporarily.

Swimming, on the other hand, is very low-impact and perfect for those with excess weight or joint issues.

Preference

In addition to thinking about the calories burned and the impact on your joints, also consider what you like best.

If you like to run, get on the treadmill. If you like to swim, get in the pool. Your enjoyment is important because the more you like something, the more likely you are to actually get up and do it.

Ultimately, any kind of exercise is good. You just have to choose what works for you!