Swimming is a full-body, low-impact exercise. Calories burned depend heavily on stroke type — butterfly burns the most; breaststroke is most popular but burns less.
Swimming Stroke MET Values
Frequently Asked Questions
Which swimming stroke burns the most calories?+
Butterfly burns the most (~11 MET), followed by freestyle (~8 MET), backstroke (~7 MET), then breaststroke (~5.3 MET).
Is swimming better than running for weight loss?+
Both are excellent. Swimming is gentler on joints, making it ideal for those with injuries or joint pain.
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