Swim Muscles

Article
Cardio fitness

Front crawl: Swimming uses all major muscle groups and boosts cardio fitness and endurance. Despite being the fastest, most continuous stroke, crawl is more economical in energy.

Upper body

Front crawl: Predominantly recruits the deltoids, latissimus dorsi (down the side of your back), trapezius, triceps and biceps muscles. It's a fast way to a taut, toned upper body.

Lower body

Front crawl: The flutter kick is the key to keeping your body high in the water, and this works the quads, hamstrings, glutes and calves. Your abdominal muscles will also tone up from stabilising you in the water.

Front crawl: Shoulder overuse or impingement injuries are most common because of the overhead motion, but this is more likely to happen to a professional swimmer than to a recreational one.