swimming laps

Question
i just started swimming laps and want to know is there a certain number of laps to do or how long should you swim laps to get fit  and loose weight?

Answer
Marcos,
There is no set limit or right number of laps to swim.  It's the same as running.  It's better to think about elevating your heart rate for an extended amount of time vice swimming a certain distance.

I suggest you warm up for 10 minutes.  Then swim hard for 20 minutes.  Follow this up with another 10 minutes of cool down.  If you do this, your lap numbers might change each time, but you are sure to keep your heart rate up for the same amount of time.  If this becomes easy, increase the hard swimming to 25...and then 30 minutes and so on.

Again, you are going to have to judge this based upon how YOU feel.
Eric