lifting weights bores me...will swimming tone my arms?...

I get bored with lifting weights .... how much swimming should I do per day/wee in order to maintain arm tone-age ... Ive managed to tone them through weight training but ammmm sooo sick of it so now i am looking for a new way to maintain them

I have massive shoulders (compared to my frame) for swimming- to the point where I have the hardest time finding shirts that fit because it's too tight in the back (I either can't raise my arms all the way up, or cross them in front of me) if it fits in the boob area, OR it fits my back/shoulders but is WAY to big in the boob area.

Anyway, my arms aren't "ripped" so to speak, but they're definitely strong! But I *currently* (will be upping my mileage soon) am swimming 5-6 times a week, and around 15 miles a week.

Kinda sorta, but there's a reason why my "Strength training for sports" manual prescribes a strength training program for swimmers...

 However, it's a much briefer program than one that would be useful for - say, a shot-putter. And different exercises. So if you're after increased swim performance, you could probably get away with much less of a program than if you wre training for appearance or general fitness without swimming in the mix.

I found that swimming was good for shoulders and triceps, but I didn't notice much of an improvement in my biceps.  That's swimming primarily front crawl, 2 or 3 times a week, for 45 minutes per session.

Clint

The muscles on the upper arm move the forearm, like the forearm muscles move the hand, so in order to tone a group of muscles you have to move the lower segment. Swimming is based on whole arm and leg movement and it will mainly tone the chest, back, shoulders, abs and buttocks. It takes very little effort to bend the forearm in the water so swimming does little for the biceps.

Oh yeah, biceps... mine are pretty toned and strong. I forgot to mention I swam all 4 strokes (well, I PRACTICE all 4, I only compete it free).

I also run/bike (distance) so the distance running has prevented from a lot of muscle developing though...

I had the same experience as Clint...my triceps and shoulders were really really toned. Didn't notice my biceps as much. This was back when I used to swim competitively everyday. Also, I was a butterflyer, so my shoulders were probably more toned than someone who just swims laps. 

Try to practice all 4 strokes. Each stroke will give you a different workout. Good luck :)

I agree with most of the above posts, I usually swim 3-4h a week, crawl mostly, and have noted toning in my triceps and shoulders, along with my back and core muscles.  I just started adding breaststroke into the mix, and really feel it in my biceps and chest...I'll let you know if I notice any additional toning.

I can see breaststroke having more work for the biceps... It's the only "normal" stroke that you recover your arms IN the water, rather than above the water.  Side-stroke doesn't count. :)

Clint