Swimming is a low-impact aerobic activity that can be done at a casual or competitive level. The number of calories burned while swimming depends on the intensity of activity and the specific stroke being practiced.
Basic Caloric Burn
A person who weighs 125 pounds burns 180 calories when swimming at moderate intensity for 30 minutes, according to Harvard Health Publications. Someone who is 155 lbs. burns 223 calories in the same half--hour of general swimming. A person who weighs 185 lbs. burns 266 calories swimming for 30 minutes.
Specialty Strokes
Swimming the backstroke ups the calorie burn to 240, 298 and 355 calories per 30 minutes for people weighing 125, 155 and 185 lbs., respectively, Harvard calculates. In the same half--hour, these same individuals can burn 300, 372 and 444 calories by vigorously swimming laps, vigorously treading water or swimming the breaststroke. The butterfly stroke and crawl can raise the calorie burn to 330, 409 and 488 calories per half--hour, respectively.
Considerations
Swimming provides a good workout that increases heart rate and strengthens the muscles of the arms, legs and back. It is good for building endurance, the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library explains, but may not be the best choice for weight loss since it does not increase metabolism after exercise like workouts performed on land tend to do.
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