Swimming

[Whiternoise]

I used to swim fairly regularly, once a week as part of a club (hey, that's regular in my books) and i stopped when i was about 14.. now, 3-4 years on i still go swimming every now and again. But i thought i'd better get myself into shape at somepoint so i wandered down to the pool and started doing some lengths.

I tell you, by the third length i was almost completely knackered

I'm not especially unfit - i do long distance walking just about every week (15-20 miles +), 30 mins walk there and back to college every day and my leg muscles are pretty good.

Any idea what's going wrong? I'm putting it down to not having done serious swimming in a loong time, but i'm not really sure. I really do want to get back into going regularly, purely because i find gyms rather opressive and as i have some weights and an exercise bike at home - why pay for it

EDIT: haha maybe sorting out these late nights will be a good starter

[Mossy]

Similar story, I play footie regulary run myself all over go swimming and Im knackerd after 2 lengths.

[tiggerai]

Swimming is a form of exercise that pretty much uses all of your body and a lot of muscles that you don't normally use in other exercise. Also, you're swimming against something (the water, dug tigs) which increases it's difficulty and therefore exercise value. There's also the fact that you haven't done it regularly in a while, that means your stamina for these muscles will be shot.

(I get the same problem, I was a super-fit Lifeguard from 16-18 and could tow the biggest of my colleagues, with a mile down in about 45-50 minutes. I now struggle to do half a mile in an hour!)

I've mentioned on here before, but I'm ASA Qualified Swimming Teacher, so if you guys want any tips etc, PM me or post them here.

I also hate gyms, so I try and swim when I can afford it.

[Whiternoise]

Ah right, thanks muchly

If it's not too much to ask, would you be able to give me a simple routine to start off with?

[j.o.s.h.1408]

i too just went swimming yesterday and after a couple of lengths i felt like i was gunna faint!! i barely made it back home has i was completely knackered.

i might opt to swim more than go to the gym has swiming is much more better and fun!

[herulach]

I was reliably informed by the other half (ratehr smugly i might add) that a lot of it is down to technique. I mountain bike a lot, and am, by most measures pretty fit, im also reasonably strong. However I get knackered very easily. SHe used to swim competitively at school, and does next to no exercise, and can still beat me. Probably wont apply to the OP but could explain your problem josh.

Might be worth getting some lessons, i know a few tips helped me no end.

[Whiternoise]

Ah i'm sure my technique is also appalling

I guess i should just stick at it.. this may seem a bit cruel, but it was fairly depressing to see fat people do more lengths than me without tiring out

[j.o.s.h.1408]

lol it must be the technique then. but back in secondary school i use to be quit decent at swimming.

[tiggerai]

These guys are right...

If you haven't got your technique right... then you create more drag for yourselves! ergo it's harder to swim.

It's a bit difficult to diagnose technique over the internet, so try and look it up and see if you can work out where you're going wrong... I'm happy to answer any q's

[j.o.s.h.1408]

will creating more drag be better for you long time has your muscles and stamina are working harder?

[5cupa]

not if the drag is your stomach on the pool floor. which might be my case hehe

[idimmu]

make sure you eat properly too.. i play hockey regularly, and if i dont eat properly or sleep well for a day or so before i game, i feel really quite "laggy"

not so good when i play leftback and have to chase down the speedy right wingers.

[SmileyUK]

i have been swimming again for about 6 weeks now. I do 1k per session 4 or 5 times a week. I tend to do 10 lengths then take a 1 minute break for the next 10. It takes me about 35 minutes to do the lot (including stretches etc before i start). Im pretty sure i will get the time down but at the moment im happy with it.

Already getting decent muscle definition in my arms and legs, but my gut is proving a more worthy opponent. I will not be defeated though, im gonna beat it this time

I always swim breaststroke btw, always found it a more comfortable stroke to swim.

[agriffith]

I've been considering a triathalon, but it's the swimming that keeps me from doing it. I've heard this is the case with a lot of people.

[pmanington]

Just keep at it, The more you go the easier it'll become and the better your technique will get.

I find the best way to get better is to set yourself goals. Instead of going 3 times a week and always doing breaststroke for km I would do 1 front crawl then 2 breaststroke so upping the difficulty and keep doing this each time. Or do 10 extra lengths etc.

[tiggerai]

Just so you guys know...

When I go (rarely, but that's all about to change) I do:

10 lengths Front
10 lengths Breast
10 lengths Back
10 lengths side (I was a lifeguard, so it comes naturally)

and repeat... Usually do about a mile (64 lengths of a standard 25 metre)

I also throw in a length or two of butterfly, just for fits and giggles hehe