Yes swimming laps is an option for a cardio workout. It has many benefits since not only will it get your heart rate up it is also a very good muscle workout aswell.
running/jogging swimming laps
Swimming laps can be really effective as a workout. Set a goal every time you swim and try to achieve it.
Lifting weights
On an outdoor track 4 laps equal one mile. In a swimming pool, a swimming mile is 33 laps down and back, a real mile is 36 laps down and back.
I don't think swimming really works your abs. it's more for the arms and legs. Try doing some crunches and sit ups before and after doing pool laps, to get your ab workout in.
It depends on the size of the swimming pools. If the pool is small, you need to swim many laps to get to 1/4 mile. 1/4 mile is 440 yards.
running/jogging swimming laps
Pool workouts are great for those who need non-impact exercises. Swimming laps is great for back, shoulders, and chest. And pool aerobics are a great cardiovascular workout.
22 laps in a 25 yard pool is equal to 1/3 mile. In competitive swimming, 66 laps or 1650 yds. is what is considered a mile. If swimming a 50 meter pool, 1,500 meters or 30 laps is a mile.
.75k = 820.209974 yards. If you are swimming a 25 yard pool: A lap (technically defined as ONE length of a pool not two): 32.8 laps is the answer. So if you're swimming a sprint tri, swim 33 laps.
A 25 in swimming is one lap. A 50 is two laps, a 100 is 4, and so on.
In an olypic swimming pool it is 20,000 laps in a kids pool it is 40,000 laps. Hope I answered your question xx