Is Swimming Good Cross-Training for Runners?

Swimming is a common form of cross-training for runners. But we're left with a lot of questions:

1. How beneficial is it compared to cycling, pool running, or the elliptical?
2. When is it best used in a training cycle?
3. When should you prioritize other forms of cross-training?

Jason Fitzgerald is a USATF running coach, 2:39 marathoner, and the founder of Strength Running (one of the web's most popular running blogs and coaching businesses). A member of the Greatist Expert Network, he's also the 2017 Men's Running Magazine's Influencer of the Year and a contributor to Competitor Magazine, Active, Runner's World, Lifehacker, and other major media.

[robertobhro]

The thing is: most people do leisure lane swimming, up and down for an hour, possibly. That won't do anything for you as an athlete, least as a runner - It does aid recovery, though. However, if done the right way, I am a firm believer swimming is an amazing additional training stimulus on days one wants to save the legs, which ultimately can help to become a better runner. if you do hard interval sessions, also playing around with restricting the breathing, you'll train the body to be more efficient with less oxygen while training also different muscle groups not used when running which makes one a better and more efficient athlete.
From my own experience to add: I was out injured for half a year and instead of running could only do swimming. Did hard interval sets 3-5x a week. Once back on the road, I was surprised how little if any overall fitness I lost and even more surprised to be faster than ever before. I would put this down to that swimming has build an incredibly strong aerobic base. And all that without any strain on legs and joints. Swimming is massively underestimated in my mind.

[FrankZtouch]

I switched out 1 running session for a swimming session. And already felt during my next running session, that it helped getting over a plateau. Important to know, is that i started running regularly 3 months ago. But still, it helped.

[McMeatBag]

I've swam a lot, and I don't think it has particularly helped my running. I do think everyone should learn how to swim, because it could save your life

[ketanhule]

In my experience its the other way around. Running improved my swimming speed & no. of laps.

[funguy]

Yes and it's actually good for your joints, unlike running.

[setiasianturi]

the reason everytime i exit my run was out breath, pretty sure my body not worn yet.

[xelionizer]

Please! Adjust the music to fit the audio in the rest of the video! It's driving people nuts!!!