Difference Between Swimming & Water Aerobics

Water exercise such as swimming, water aerobics, water yoga or Pilates, volleyball, water jogging and strength training can improve your strength, flexibility, endurance and cardiovascular health while you're having fun and relaxing. Working out in the water instead of on dry land allows individuals to train vigorously without injury, even if they are elderly, obese or in poor health. Although similar in some respects, swimming and water aerobics require different skills, environments and equipment, and they burn different levels of calories.

Description

Swimming involves moving horizontally through the water using your arms and legs in one of several strokes or patterns, including the backstroke, crawl and butterfly strokes. Except during the backstroke, the swimmer's face is in the water so she must turn slightly to take a breath and her feet do not touch the bottom of the pool. Water aerobics is a combination of kicks, lunges, hops, jumping jacks and dance movements performed in shallow or deep water. In shallow water, the exerciser's feet often touch the bottom of the pool but her face is never in the water.

Environment

Swimmers frequently work out in swimming pools but may also use a natural body of water such as a pond, lake or ocean if the conditions are safe. Swimmers often exercise independently but may also swim in groups or teams. Most exercise in silence although some choose to use waterproof MP3 players for entertainment. Water aerobics participants typically work out as part of a group class in the shallow or deep end of a swimming pool. Their routines are set to music and follow a set pattern that includes upper and lower body exercises.

Calories Burned

The number of calories you burn performing a particular exercise for an hour depends on your weight and on the intensity of your effort. Swimming laps for one hour, a vigorous activity, burns approximately 511 calories if the person weighs 160 pounds; 637 calories if he weighs 200 pounds; or 763 calories if he weighs 240 pounds. Water aerobics, a moderate intensity activity, burns about 292 calories in one hour if the person weighs 160 pounds; 364 calories if he weighs 200 pounds; and 436 calories if he weighs 240 pounds.

Equipment

If you engage in swimming or water aerobics, you will need a swimsuit, a towel and a bottle of water. Swimmers also need goggles to protect their eyes, a waterproof watch and a swim cap to manage long hair. Optional equipment includes fins, webbed gloves and a kickboard when they work on swimming techniques. For water aerobics, water shoes help to protect the feet during exercise and flotation devices such as foam noodles or vests help to keep the individual upright in the pool. Optional equipment includes water dumbbells and ankle cuffs for strength training.

Considerations

When choosing a type of water exercise, consider your comfort level in the water, your swimming skills, your goals, convenience of classes and the amount of time you have available for exercising. Since swimming is a vigorous activity, you would need to work out 1.25 hours per week to get the same cardiovascular benefits as 2.5 hours a week of water aerobics, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. If you are uncomfortable with putting your face in the water or have few swimming skills, water aerobics may be the better choice for you if the classes are held at convenient times.