# Is there a formula for water resistance?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-formula-for-water-resistance/501763>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 3, 2009, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-formula-for-water-resistance/501763 "2009-07-03T01:09:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\
**Post date:** [July 3, 2009, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-formula-for-water-resistance/501763/1 "2009-07-03T01:09:26Z")

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A friend of mine has suggested that I try running in a pool to help get in shape. He says that since it’s harder than running on land, it will be better exercise. Any truth to this? Is there a way to measure it, if true?

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**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\
**Post date:** [July 3, 2009, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-formula-for-water-resistance/501763/2 "2009-07-03T01:15:38Z")

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As far as general cardio fitness is concerned, heart rate is what matters. How you get there is your choice. Water running is terrific for maintaining fitness if injured but it’s not superior.

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**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\
**Post date:** [July 3, 2009, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-formula-for-water-resistance/501763/3 "2009-07-03T02:49:33Z")

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The resistance is ‘drag’. The drag force exerted by a flowing fluid on a body is a function of the density, viscosity and velocity of the fluid. If the body is moving then the water is pushing back with this drag.

But **runnerpat** has the practical answer.

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**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\
**Post date:** [July 4, 2009, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-formula-for-water-resistance/501763/4 "2009-07-04T02:54:25Z")

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> [@Love\_Rhombus](#):
>
> A friend of mine has suggested that I try running in a pool to help get in shape. He says that since it’s harder than running on land, it will be better exercise. Any truth to this? Is there a way to measure it, if true?

Asa mentioned above the great advantage is those with knee or hip problems. I can not run on hard ground for very long. But I could in water so for me water running would be better exersize. Land running for me is a fast walk.