Why do I get such an intense burn when I swim?

Question

It makes it so hard for me to swim because I go into pain easily. I have some good lean mass on me. I am down to 6% body fat at 6'1" with 210 lbs. I put on muscle so easily so I am wondering if my body is trying to tear itself down while I swim or what.

Any ideas, I can hardly swim 25 feet without the horrible burn; and let me add that I have a high pain tolerance.

Answer 1

maybe its the chemicals have you put any muriaitic acid in your pool of recent and got in afterwards? sometimes people do that and its not a good thing to do. they get a burning sensation and they get a lot of red rashes all over if they are in to long.

Answer 2

I would definetly contact your physician immediately, or trainer if you have one.

Answer 3

Allergies are possible, that happens to a fairly significant number of people after swimming in salt water for too long. If it isn't normal muscle strain (which presumably you could diagnose yourself if you lift weights regularly) than you should probably see a doctor about it, or at least consult one.

If it feels like muscle strain, just worse than what you are used to, that would be because you are using a different set of muscles for a new exercise. However much training and however short your recovery time is for your regular exercise, think novice for any new exercise like running or swimming - weaker muscles and a longer recovery time. Make sure you get enough rest and leave enough time between swims if you are doing proper exercise/training rather than leisure swimming/mucking around in the water.

Answer 4

Depends.. if your swimming in a pool you may have gained a cholrine allergy or have become super allergic to another chemical, or if its in like salt water, the salt maybe the reason your getting burned

Answer 5

You should go see a doctor about that.  That's weird.  How long have you been swimming?  

It may just be that you're using some secondary and stablizer muscles that aren't up to speed with your primary muscles.  When you lift weight, there are specific muscles that you use and some of your muscles are neglected.  Swimming is one of those exercises where people will say "I see muscles and hurt in places where I didn't know muscles existed!"  You may just be maxing out tiny muscle groups that aren't used to working.  

If you have a personal trainer, I'd start by speaking with him first and tell him you are thinking of seeing a doctor about that.