Does diving count as a workout day or a couch day?

[BabyLitigator]

So my DAN renewal has a big disclaimer that Scuba Diving in strenuous, but not sufficient activity to prepare you for diving (e.g., you gotta exercise too - totally understand).

Here's my question. On days I dive, I don't otherwise workout (though I try to most other days). For counting rest days, does a dive day (figure a standard 2-3 tank dive in 60 F water) count as a couch day, or is it an activity day so I can do a couch day later in the week?

 

[scubadada]

A workout day. It's not aerobic exercise but it burns a reasonable amount of calories. Google calories burned scuba diving, 300-600 calories/hour. I generally do not do additional exercise on scuba days.

 

[PatW]

It depends on how you define “work days”. I have recently been diving with the Apple Watch with the dive ap. It keeps track of calories burned and it was a surprising amount. I forget the exact figures but three dives will get about 600 calories burned which is like walking 6 miles. So not a whole bunch but not totally sedentary either.

I understand that diving can stress the cardiovascular system especially at depth. And getting onto the boat especially when it is rough probably does that too. So it is a good idea to be in decent shape if you go diving.

 

[Altamira]

As you get older, your body will definitely let you know it is a work/activity day. When I was younger, 3-4 dives/day was doable. Not so much anymore.

 

[Pavao]

I guess it depends, if you swim like a maniac down there, then that’s an exercise, my heart rate is on the 70s during my dives, about 150 or so calories burned.
For someone like me, the stuff that happens out of the water related to diving, carrying tanks, switching tanks, carrying gear, climbing ladder… would count more of an exercise than the dive itself.

Either way, I like to go by the, don’t dive to get fit, get fit to dive, motto.

 

[MidOH]

Couch.

600 calories is one burrito.

 

[scubadada]

Couch.

600 calories is one burrito.

4 dives would be 4 burritos, that's not bad.

 

[grantmac]

Diving is easy, hauling gear around is not always.

 

[LightBrownPillow]

Diving itself feels less like a workout (heart rate doesn't get up much) and more like a good hike. You're definitely burning energy and moving around a lot. So call it an "active day".

Like others are saying, if you have to lug around all your gear that could shift into a workout kind of day, but still less strenuous than full reps at the gym.

 

[SaltLakeCityDIver228]

Hauling your gear is the work...diving is the reward!!