Overweight Divers

[freeski4ever]

Ok, I know I'm probably going to piss off a lot of people with this thread, but I just have to know. Why are there so many overweight divers? Could it be that I am just naive, since I come from a prior-military background where almost everyone was in shape and could run 2 miles in less than 14:30 mins? The first time I went diving I was blown away by how 'large' some of the other divers' wetsuits were ( I'm trying to be politically correct). I'm not trying to be rude by any means, and I understand that in today's society, being 20-30 lbs overweight is acceptable, but I thought that scuba divers would be in-shape, physically fit individuals. Please feel free to comment or provide insight, but please don't flame!!

[Ryanh1801]

Weight does not always mean not fit. Im what most doctors would consider over weight, But I do triathlons and many other physically demanding things, and beat a lot of "skinny in shape people". What worrys me is the guy sucking down a pack of cig's before a dive.

[FishFood]

Where do you usually dive? It's been my experience that divers are usually better than average when it comes to physical fitness.

[freeski4ever]

Originally Posted by Ryanh1801

Weight does not always mean not fit. Im what most doctors would consider over weight, But I do triathlons and many other physically demanding things, and beat a lot of "skinny in shape people". What worrys me is the guy sucking down a pack of cig's before a dive.

I hear you on that one!! I used to smoke when I was in the Army, but fortunately, I was able to kick the nasty habit. Now I can't stand the smell of cigarettes smoke, or being around other smokers for an extended period of time. I can't understand how I used to ski and smoke, or how divers who smoke must feel while physically exerting themselves underwater.

[freeski4ever]

Originally Posted by FishFood

Where do you usually dive? It's been my experience that divers are usually better than average when it comes to physical fitness.

The incident to which I was referring was at a local quarry, Clear Springs Scuba Park. I witnessed several guys with dicky-do's (when your belly sticks out farther than your dicky-do) scuba diving. Something about a gut hanging over a weight belt just doesn't seem right to me (right hand release or not).

[FishFood]

Originally Posted by freeski4ever

The incident to which I was referring was at a local quarry, Clear Springs Scuba Park. I witnessed several guys with dicky-do's (when your belly sticks out farther than your dicky-do) scuba diving. Something about a gut hanging over a weight belt just doesn't seem right to me (right hand release or not).

MMMmmm. Appetizing. Thanks for the visual

[texdiveguy]

The world is made up of all sorts and sizes of folks!

This is a question that has been kicked around a number of times on scuba diving forums, with no concrete answers.

It is fair to say that we all should do our best to maintain as good a general health picture as possible, and it go without saying that scuba diving and fitness health should go hand in hand,,,,and smoking and diving really have no place in the same sentence. (IMO)

I persl. try to maintain my health for this at times challenging sport, as I do take it to the extremes on occasion.

If one is over weight and out of condition they should modify their diving and seek to improve their general fitness level.

[sid101]

Well if i may throw my opinion in to this i will use myself as my example.

Im 6foot 8 inches tall and i weight 220 pound give or take (probably give) i am overweight and i look funny in my wetsuit (shorty 3mm^^) and i have asked myself the same question as you are a couple fo times, i have tried to get in "shape" but i have not been able to most of the sports i do are more endurance than anything else and i think so is diving. Im not as overweight as the folks you saw and i think thats an extreme to things, i can see my feet pretty well and my belly doesnt fall down but is there.

Remember that diving doesnt require to be strong or fast but to have good endurance and good lungs, i also smoke wich should be bad for me while diving but my tanks last me the same and the non smoking divers, i also do trekking and can stand extended climbing periods pretty well, i think your body type doesnt quite reflect if you can or cannot do sports but it could give a hint about wich sports you can are more fit to do.

Also remember that overweight people have to move more mass for the same distance and of time so we are more about endurance than quickness. I wouldnt dare to try to outrun someone in shape but my endurance is either as good or better than some "in shape" people, not everyone is built the same but may have the same performance.

Off course if someone shos in shape would train the exact same as i do it would probably surpass me because they have to move less mass or maybe would put a smaller strain upon their muscles but at the same time maybe my limits have gone further since i have to keep up, it depends on a lot of variables.

I hope my opinion could be of any help.

I am not saying that smoking wont put a handicap in your while diving but not everyone responds the same to it. Off course i know diving smokers that can barelly go through oen tank without currents but also know some non-smokers that are the same, again not everyone is built the same.

Oh by the way, remember wetsuits are made for skinny people so even the slightest belly will look pretty big in one^^.

[GodivaGirl]

The reason is simple . . . . fat people want to see cool things under water just like you do!!!

Fat people can be active people too. They just eat more than what their activties burn.

I am considered fat to some people since I am about 10-20 lbs overweight but I still want to dive. I don't have a lot of endurance so I choose dives that aren't as strenous as some. Consider where you are diving. A quary isn't exactly a difficult dive. A shore dive off the west coast is a bit more physically taxing and I'd be willing to bet that you won't see as many very overweight people diving there.

One other thing to consider. Diving is something that even people with physical problems can do. In other words, say someone has back or knee problems. Those problems limit their physical activity on land therefore they don't burn as many calories as someone with no problems that can go for a jog or play softball or whatever else they want to do. But people with those problems CAN swim and dive because in water they are pretty much weightless and they don't have the impact on their joints like on land.

[easyrider003]

I am what most people would consider overweight, and definitely have somewhat of a gut. Not long ago I was in recruit school for the fire department and could run 11 miles, every step in Jordan Hare stadium (Auburn Universities Football Stadium) and al kinds of other thing. Our pt instructor was a former NAVY SEAL drill sergeant and I could run and keep up with the best of em. With that said, even though I have a gut and would appear to be fat and overweight, it doesn't mean that you are not in shape,afterall... round is a shape, and that you can't handle some of the more physically demanding dives out there.