Swimming for cardio...does it break down muscle?

[Judoka48]

I never do cardio on leg days...but I was wondering if anyone knew if it is ok to swim. Any information on this topic would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[Environ]

Cardio is cardio. What time in the day are you intending to swim and is this just after your leg workout or some other time of the day? How intense do you intend to do it? 100 metre freestyle, competition speed or a leisurely few lengths of the pool? And, why are you doing it? Is it for fat loss or just general health.

With regard to breaking down muscle, if you are fuelled to begin with you won't break down muscle. So you could have a pre-workout energy drink. If you are doing it immediately post workout, cardio should be moderately intense only (and, I don't know how safe swimming is as a form of post workout cardio - you're already fatigued). Right after an intense workout, and any decent leg workout should be intense, your glycogen levels are depleted so if you start doing very intense cardio, you will break down muscle to use for energy. But, if you do light to moderate cardio, your body will be able to use fat as a source of energy.

[Nu-UFitness]

haha! I was wondering the same thing! My nutritionist says it puts you in more of a catabolic state so its not the best form of cardio.

[phalipi]

Swimming is a great form of cardio, mabey not for breaking down muscles though. If you never do it you'll be suprised how tired you get and how much endurance it takes. I usually swim a 500-700m freestyle nonstop.

[Keltron]

If you seperate it from your resistance and get properly fueled beforehand, and get proper recovery afterwards, you'll be fine. I wouldnt do them on lifting days. So for example, if you lift Mon, Tues, Thur, Fri, you can swim on Wed, Sat and Sun.