Most of you would be aware of the fact that swimming is a great way of losing weight and achieving a fit, toned physique. It is an ideal form of exercise for those people who wish to get rid of excessive body fat and achieve a lean, strong, and toned body (minus the bulk that is typically associated with the physique of weightlifters or bodybuilders). Swimming is an excellent cardiovascular exercise and one that works on your entire body. It is an enjoyable way of burning calories.
How Many Calories are Burned While Swimming?
The number of calories burned are decided by a variety of factors such as:
- Amount of distance swum
- Amount of time taken to do so
- Amount of intermittent breaks or rest stops
- Effort or intensity i.e., speed of swimming
- Swim strokes used
- Weight of the swimmer
Considering all these above factors, here are a few swim stroke-wise prepared tables that provide information about the approximate number of calories burned if a person swims for 30 minutes continuously. (
Please note:
The following numbers and statistics are based on the assumption that the person will swim throughout with a moderate level of effort or speed and for a period of 30 continuous minutes).
| Breast Stroke |
| Weight of the Person (in kg) |
Calories Burned |
| 50 |
260 |
| 55 |
290 |
| 60 |
315 |
| 65 |
340 |
| 70 |
365 |
| 75 |
390 |
| 80 |
420 |
| 85 |
445 |
| 90 |
470 |
| 95 |
495 |
| 100 |
525 |
| 105 |
550 |
| 110 |
575 |
| 115 |
600 |
| 120 |
630 |
| 125 |
655 |
| 130 |
680 |
| Back Stroke |
| Weight of the Person (in kg) |
Calories Burned |
| 50 |
180 |
| 55 |
200 |
| 60 |
220 |
| 65 |
240 |
| 70 |
255 |
| 75 |
275 |
| 80 |
295 |
| 85 |
310 |
| 90 |
330 |
| 95 |
350 |
| 100 |
365 |
| 105 |
385 |
| 110 |
405 |
| 115 |
420 |
| 120 |
440 |
| 125 |
460 |
| 130 |
475 |
| Crawl |
| Weight of the Person (in kg) |
Calories Burned |
| 50 |
210 |
| 55 |
230 |
| 60 |
250 |
| 65 |
270 |
| 70 |
295 |
| 75 |
315 |
| 80 |
335 |
| 85 |
355 |
| 90 |
380 |
| 95 |
400 |
| 100 |
420 |
| 105 |
440 |
| 110 |
460 |
| 115 |
485 |
| 120 |
505 |
| 125 |
525 |
| 130 |
545 |
| Butterfly Stroke |
| Weight of the Person (in kg) |
Calories Burned |
| 50 |
285 |
| 55 |
315 |
| 60 |
345 |
| 65 |
375 |
| 70 |
400 |
| 75 |
430 |
| 80 |
460 |
| 85 |
490 |
| 90 |
520 |
| 95 |
545 |
| 100 |
575 |
| 105 |
605 |
| 110 |
635 |
| 115 |
665 |
| 120 |
690 |
| 125 |
720 |
| 130 |
750 |
From all the above statistics, it is clear that the butterfly stroke is the one that is able to burn the maximum number of calories amongst all swim strokes. Apart from merely burning calories, swimming is extremely beneficial from the perspective of strengthening your lungs, increasing your lung and breathing capacity, improving your physical stamina, etc. It works your entire body and all the different muscle groups and not just any single muscle or part of your body. Swimming, or for that matter even water aerobics, is a great workout option for those people who are unable to run or jog due to leg joint or ligament problems.
Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only and does not in any way attempt to replace the advice offered by an expert on the subject.