Swim or Run? What is the better Cardio?

Sruthi Korlakunta
In Fitness And In Health
3 min readJan 19, 2023

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Swimming and running are two popular forms of cardio exercise that offer a range of benefits for overall health and fitness. I love both (tbh, I like swimming way more). On the occasion of many ambitious New Years resolutions, let's compare!

Both running and swimming are great ways to get your heart rate up and improve cardiovascular endurance, but there are some key differences between the two.

Impact on the body

One of the main differences between swimming and running is the impact on the body. Running is a weight-bearing activity, which means that it puts pressure on the joints and bones. This can be beneficial for building bone density and strength, but it also means that running can be harder on the body.

Swimming, on the other hand, is a low-impact exercise that is less likely to cause injury. Which is my fav reason to swim.

Another difference between swimming and running is the muscles that are used. Running primarily works the legs, while swimming works the entire body. Because swimming involves the use of the arms, shoulders, back, and core muscles, it can be a more well-rounded workout.

Swimming is more intense.

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Sruthi Korlakunta
In Fitness And In Health

I write on tech, books, and lifestyle. | Data analyst | Made human by all the people who love me.