Swimming is a fantastic workout for the whole body. Here we explain the main muscles it uses
Swimming, whichever stroke you use, is a great workout for the whole body and works all the major muscle groups, from your chest and abdominals to your leg and arm muscles.
What muscles does swimming work?
If your chosen stroke is front crawl, you can be sure that you are working the muscles of the upper body, including the deltoids, latissimus dorsi (down the side of your back) and trapezius, as well as triceps and biceps muscles in your arms. And obviously, your leg muscles aren’t forgotten either, with all the kicking that front crawl involves. Front crawl works the hip flexors, quads, hamstrings, glutes and calves. Your abdominal muscles will also tone up from stabilising you in the water. Backstroke uses similar muscles to front crawl.
Breaststroke might be the slowest swim stroke but it is still a great workout for all your major muscle groups. In particular, it tones the chest muscles, quadriceps, glutes, upper back, triceps, hamstrings and lower legs.
So next time you are ploughing up and down the pool or enjoying wild swimming somewhere scenic, you can pay attention to the specific muscles that are getting a workout and think about all the good you are doing your body. Might help propel you into doing a few more lengths…
Want to try wild swimming? Here are the best wild swimming spots in Britain