There have been questions about how many calories are burned in an hour of leisurely swimming. Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise that requires you to have some skill to participate in. Leisure and lane swimming require different intensities and speeds; as such, the number of calories burned varies. Let’s check how many calories are burned in one hour of leisurely swimming.
How many calories does one hour of leisurely swimming burn?
If you swim calmly, you can only burn 272 calories per hour. In contrast, swimming with a full belt can burn 680 calories per hour. This is quite a difference. However, you can still increase your speed and intensity to burn more calories in the pool.
Factors that affect the number of calories burned while swimming
Here are factors that affect the number of calories you burn while swimming. You can manipulate these factors to burn more or fewer calories.
1. Speed and effort
The more speed and effort you put into your swim determines the number of calories you burn. For example, in leisurely swimming you put in less effort and speed, so you burn just 272 calories per hour but competitive swimming requires your best effort and speed; therefore, you can burn up to 680 calories per hour.
2. Duration and distance
This factor implies that the more time you spend swimming, the more calories you burn, and the farther you swim, the more calories you burn, and vice versa.
3. Skill
Skill plays a role in determining how many calories you will burn. If you are skilled, you will move your body quickly in the water; the faster you move, the more calories you burn.
4. Your weight
The heavier you weigh, the more energy and effort it takes to move your body, and as such, you tend to burn more calories efficiently.
If you’re swimming to lose weight, you’ll lose more weight at the start of your journey than when you’re nearing your goal.
For example, a 150-pound person will burn 272 calories after swimming 1,500 yards, while a 120-pound person will burn just 218 calories swimming the exact distance.
How to measure the number of calories you burn while swimming
There are many gadgets that you can use to measure the number of calories you burn while swimming, such as waterproof swimming fitness watches and trackers. Additionally, you can get waterproof smartwatches to track the calories you burn.
This will help you get an overview of your swim profile, such as your speed, distance covered and your heart rate as measured by your pulse.
Examples of the best swim trackers and smartwatches include:
- Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro
- Garmin Swim:
- Design smart swimming goggles
- Fitbit Charge 4
- Apple Watch series
- Corros Pace
- Amazfit GTS
- Xiaomi Mi Band 6:
- Polar ignition 2
- Fitbit Versa 3:
- Move Now:
- Fitbit Versa 2:
- Garmin Vivoactive 3:
- Fitbit Ionic.
Conclusion
Swimming remains a great way to lose weight, especially when compared to other activities like jogging or brisk walking. If you want to lose weight, I suggest you to be consistent with swimming.
Also, the beauty of swimming is that you can get a smartphone or tracker to record the number of calories you burn in each session. This will help you plan better to achieve your goal.