How many calories does swimming burn?

While calories burned during swimming vary due to the intensity of exercise and weight of the swimmer, the average calories the sport requires per hour is between 423 and 632, according to Mayo Clinic. To lose a pound of fat, an individual must burn 3,500 more calories than he consumes.

According to Mayo Clinic, most people need about 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity, such as swimming, per week. It is acceptable to break the exercise sessions into increments as small as 10 minutes. Mayo Clinic also recommends strength training at least twice per week, giving a general goal of a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise daily.